Don't burden taxpayers with facility's expense

OK, I agree we need a facility to incarcerate bad kids meeting state requirements; the current facility does not. I believe it should be a jail-type environment providing an unpleasant experience that they will not wish to return to.

Actual costs of incarceration should be levied against the parents whose total responsibility they are, not the public, certainly not one segment of the public, property owners. There should be no daily limit or total cap. How about legislation mandating this, thereby taking the assessment out of the perogative of judges.

Alternative to property tax levy could be temporary sales tax increase paying for building the facility. If considered a public problem, responsibility then of all the public not just property owners should foot the bill. Would spread the burden to non-county residents whose juvenile delinquents may end up incarcerated at Bonner County residents expense.

What about the private company that proposed building/running such facility a year ago at no expense to Bonner County? It would finance facility and its operation along with profits by charging jurisdictions having no suitable juvenile jail to incarcerate their delinquents. It would be a secure facility. We would never see/notice inmates any more than we see/notice current adult jail birds. A great option.

Looks like the county is taking the easy route attempting to further tax us property owners. Another onerous property tax is the quickest and easiest option. Let’s simply vote no on the Aug. 4 juvenile detention facility levy forcing other more equitable options to be fully investigated and attempted.

PHIL POUTRE

Cocolalla