Investigation needed on skyrocketing taxes

I recently read a letter (Daily Bee, Dec. 15) from Jessie Sheldon re: the shocking property tax increases and I could not agree with him more. And when I went to the county building to ask for an explanation, I got the same response that he did: "Oh, some people's went up even more." How comforting.

Our taxable base went up 126% and our tax increased 49%. One of the staff pointed out that the millage rates had dropped — that's an irrelevant observation. With all of the new construction, I assume that Bonner County's taxable base has increased substantially. This should result in each individual's tax staying even or dropping — unless the various departments and entities have increased their budgets by huge amounts.

My visit to the county offices yielded no clear answer. I was told that "the city is the biggest slice of the pie for me." I don't know if that meant I should go to the city or what since the city of Sandpoint has nothing to do with my property tax assessment; that is done by Bonner County.

I think that some in-depth investigative reporting would be in order here.

ROB HARRISON

Sandpoint