County rejects Sagle taxation request

SAGLE — Bonner County commissioners turned down a request Tuesday to rescind an ordinance that permits the Sagle Fire District to collected taxes only on improved property.

The district sought permission to tax on unimproved lands to spread the tax burden more evenly among landowners.

“There’s a lot of information that’s been going out that we’re asking for money and we’re not. If you own a home in Sagle, your levy rate is going down. But we’re spreading it equally among all property owners,” said Ron Stocking, chief of Sagle Fire.

A robust crowd turned out for the early-evening hearing and more than 30 people offered remarks during the meeting. Most of the comments were in opposition to the taxation proposal, although a few advocated for its adoption.

Supporters contended that landowners with homes were shouldering a disproportionate tax burden compared to owners of unimproved parcels. Moreover, the Cape Horn fire demonstrated that the area is not immune to the threat of wildfire.

“This is a very, very fair way to do this because, as we all know, the situation with wildfires is only getting worse and worse and worse,” said landowner Diana Dawson.

Landowner Mark Sauter told commissioners that a wildfire on his unimproved ground could spell trouble for his neighbor, who has an improved parcel.

“I know if I had a problem on my property, it would easily move into his,” said Sauter.

The district’s baggage, however, did the proposal no favors.

Landowners recalled the 2002 financial crisis, which saw the district up to $400,000 in debt. The district spent several years clawing its way back to financial stability, but the memories of the crisis still linger.

“Trust is the big issue — and lack of trust over many years,” said Orin LaRitchie, a longtime district watchdog.

Landowner Joan Spencer said the district patrons might not see a tax increase in the near term, but they could encounter them farther down the road.

“This proposal is not about raising their taxes. It’s about raising their ability to tax in the future,” said Spencer.

Opponents of the change pointed out that the Idaho Department of Lands already taxes land in Sagle for fire suppression and argued that the agency is better suited for tangling with wildfire.

Stocking admitted he inherited department with a colorful past, but pledged to win that trust back

“My goal is to restore the trust,” he said.

Owners of large tracts of land, meanwhile, calculated their taxes would dramatically increase, which could force farmers to break off pieces of land for sale to stay afloat.

The potential impact to larger landowners gave Commissioner Glen Bailey unease, as did prospect of higher taxes.

“We need to tax as little as possible to provide the essential services,” said Bailey.

Commissioner Todd Sudick and commission Chairman Cary Kelly both stated that the fairness principle alone was not enough to justify rescinding the ordinance.

“I do not see a reason for the commissioners to reverse this particular ordinance,” said Kelly.

Kelly and District 2 Commissioner-elect Jeff Connolly urged the district to seek an advisory vote in November to better gauge the public’s wishes.

“If that came out favorably, I’m very sure that would influence the commissioners as to what you want to do,” Kelly said.