Property tax debate takes center stage at hearing

SANDPOINT — Do skyrocketing tax assessments and ballooning property tax bills have you worried about keeping your head above water?

Tonight is your chance to speak up.

The Idaho Legislative Interim Committee on Property Taxation will hold a public meeting at 1 p.m. today in the Sandpoint High School Auditorium designed to have interested persons comment on the property taxation system in place.

For residents unhappy with Idaho's current taxing method, today's meeting may be one of the best opportunities to speak directly to the elected representatives about ideas for overhauling the state's property taxation system.

Co-chaired by Sen. Shawn Keough, the committee is studying the state's property tax structure in all of its aspects. Members are trying to develop a strategy to implement a property tax structure over the succeeding years balanced in application and effect, that encourages economic development, that meets the revenue needs of local units of government, encourages and assists economic development and answers the concern over rising property values and property taxes.

If persons are unable to attend the following list of meetings and would like to submit testimony electronically or in written form, they may do so online at mnugent@lso.state.id.us or write to Property Tax Committee, Legislative Services Office, PO Box 83720, Boise, Idaho 83720-0054.