Landowner challenges Sagle LID

SAGLE — A landowner is challenging his inclusion in a Local Improvement District imposed by the Sagle Valley Water & Sewer District.

Counsel for Dennis McIntire contends the district acted beyond its authority and failed to follow state law, according to court documents.

McIntire owns five acres and was assessed nine Equivalent Residential Units. The cost of the ERUs were not disclosed in court documents.

McIntire was among more than 20 landowners who filed objections to being included in the LID. The district quickly dismissed the objections on June 6.

District officials wrote off the opposition as a vocal minority that composed only 10 percent of the landowners in the LID and criticized The Daily Bee for reporting on the opponents’ point of view.

The LID assesses landowners a tax to pay for the installation of 330,000-gallon reservoir, approximately 10 miles of water main and upgrades to three wells.

The Idaho Department of Environmental Quality awarded the district a $2.3 million low-interest loan in 2007 to expand district’s existing system and absorb two other neighborhood water systems. The loan carries a 2-percent interest rate and is payable over 20 years.

A number of objectors opposed inclusion into the LID because they say they already have water wells and no need for a municipal water supply. Opponents of the LID contend commercial landowners and board members’ personal agendas were the driving forces behind the LID.

Opponents were also concerned that a sewer system would eventually be foisted on them. Those concerns appear to be well-founded because Idaho DEQ awarded Sagle Valley a $37,500 wastewater planning grant in May for a centralized wastewater collection and treatment facility. Sagle Valley also kicked in $37,500 match for the grant.