Urban Renewal In Boise, Hawks New Stadium, City Council On Deck

Once again the WHACK A MOLE game of trying to throw money at pop up targets is well underway in Boise.  This time around it looms large Boise Urban Renewal may step up to home plate and throw $23.7 million of property taxpayer money at a new stadium for the Boise Hawks.  Here is a section lifted from the article in the Idaho Statesman today:

"• Option 1: Urban renewal area — Tax increment financing — paying for public improvements by capturing the increase in property taxes that improvements generate — can be used within a designated urban renewal area such as Boise is considering creating around 30th Street .

Who approves it: The City Council would decide."

Read more: http://www.idahostatesman.com/2011/11/14/1877941/search-for-boise-baseball-stadium.html#ixzz1dhnfnyNP

Mavens of the BETTER BOISE COALITION and no doubt baseball fans are trying to figure out how to download the cost of this project onto the backs of Boise property taxpayers.  By way of a tax shift if this gets approved all Ada County property taxpayers will get stuck paying for this project.  The smooth talk of TAX INCREMENT FINANCING has begun.  Most taxpayers have no clue how urban renewal works and the good people at the BETTER BOISE COALITION will do nothing to help educate property owners in this matter.

The soft sell is this will be a "multi-sport complex.  Is there a new foot ball venue in the works?

No vote of the people in this matter if Urban Renewal is used it will fall to the the Boise City Council to make the decision if urban renewal will be the financing instrument for this project.  Voters countywide should be given the opportunity to make this decision, not a few baseball fans who want a new stadium.

If Each New Job Creates 3-5 Other New Jobs, Does Each Job Lost Create 3-5 Added Losses?

 Wednesday, November 9th   By David R. Frazier

The news from the J.R. Simplot Wednesday is bad any way you look at it. Loss of up to 1,000 jobs and closure of potato processing plants in Aberdeen and Nampa is not anyone’s idea of holiday cheer.
It’s even worse if you use any of the gushingly optimistic estimates about “job creation” related to the new Greek Yogurt plant about to be built at Twin Falls. Here is an excerpt from a Twin Falls Times-News newspaper editorial:

“And before you know it, the 7.57 multiplier similar to that of a cheese manufacturer can parlay the economic benefit of 400 new jobs into a number closer to 3,000.”

Even if a potato processing plant has only a 5.0 multiplier, it would be reasonable to conclude the closure of the Simplot spud processing plants would put another 4,000 Idaho workers on unemployment–this at a time when the head labor guy wants to put an end to extending unemployment bennies.

Our point is this: New businesses seldom live up to its projected benefits. Likewise, while closures are never good, they are seldom as bad as projected. Prior to the Simplot announcement, Gov. Butch Otter told a radio audience the yogurt plant was worth an additional 3-4 jobs. A former Simplot executive and family member himself, Guv Butch will have a hard time defending claims that loss of 1,000 jobs at the plants won’t mean 3,000-4000 additional job losses.

Simplot simply can’t sell all the french fries (a style of fried potato, not really from France) it has the capacity to produce. Tastes are changing. Greek yogurt (a style of yogurt, not really from Greece) is all the rage among certain cultures.

It has taken an act of congress to get potatoes back on the school lunch menu approved by the U.S. Government. Our famous potato is being maligned by health enthusiasts.

State of Washington Kills State Liquor Dispensaries State Will Make $80 Million More

Yesterday, voters in Washington State voted to do away with their state liquor dispensaries.  The new law also allows wholesale purchasers to go around local distributors and this tore down yet another law on their books.

Starting in June of 2012 the numbers of places where you can buy liquor by the bottle will go from 328 to 1,428. Prices are expected to fall while revenue to the state will go up by nearly $80 Million.

THE GUARDIAN has long been an advocate of doing away with the antiquated liquor dispensary system in Idaho.  In Washington it will mean more than 900 state employees will lose their jobs,  Liquor prices are expected to drop but not to the levels of California.  Washington will hang onto high levels of sin-taxation.

Costco was the main contributor in the effort to overturn Washington's liquor law regarding state run dispensaries.  Costco ponied up a cool  $22.5 Million of the total of $22.7 Million spent to pass Initiative 1183 in Washington.  It will be interesting to see if Costco sees an opportunity to go after states like Idaho with antiquated liquor sales models and expensive delivery overhead.  Here's a link for more info  .

Nampa and Caldwell Election Results, Apathy Wins Again With Very Low Turnout

THE GUARDIAN is posting the election results for those of you who don't take the paper or missed them for one reason or another.  It was another example of disinterest in local elections by voters.  Nampa and Caldwell numbers are screaming apathy in these elections

NAMPA CITY COUNCIL SEAT 2
Vote For  1
 Stephen A. Kren  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .   2,441   54.98   
 Lance R. McGrath .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .   1,999   45.02   

NAMPA CITY COUNCIL SEAT 4
Vote For  1
 Curtis Homer  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .   1,566   35.17   
 Bob Henry  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .   2,181   48.98   
 Justin T. Harrison  .  .  .  .  .  .  .     406    9.12   
 Charles Harris, Jr. .  .  .  .  .  .  .     300    6.74   

                                           VOTES   PERCENT

CALDWELL CITY COUNCIL SEAT 4

Vote For  1

 Shannon Ozuna .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .     878   39.80    

 Erik Constantine Makrush  .  .  .  .  .     732   33.18    

 Kent A. Marmon.  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .     596   27.02    



CALDWELL CITY COUNCIL SEAT 5

Vote For  1

 Jim Blacker.  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .   1,062   48.23    

 Rem Fox .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .     732   33.24    

 Jerry Kilbourne  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .     408   18.53    



CALDWELL CITY COUNCIL SEAT 6

Vote For  1

 Jeremy Feucht .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .     772   36.97    

 David B. Clark.  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .   1,316   63.03

Storm Water Fees Ruled Unconstitutional By Idaho Supreme Court

The following is a conclusion of law rendered today by the Idaho Supreme Court stating the storm water fees imposed by Nampa and contemplated by Caldwell are indeed an unauthorized tax under Idaho Law.  Here's the link to the Idaho Supreme Court decision.


This Court finds that the first step of the analysis leads to the conclusion that the 
assessment is a tax, not a regulatory fee.  As per the second step, it is clear that the revenue to be 
collected from the storm water utility fee has no rational relationship to a regulatory purpose
because the storm water fee is a tax.  The storm water fee is used to generate funds for the non regulatory function of repairing, maintaining, and expanding the City’s preexisting storm water 
system and streets under Brewster. Ordinance 4512 is, therefore, an unauthorized tax intended to 
free-up the City’s general revenues.  It is for the Idaho Legislature to authorize such a tax.  
The judgment of the district court is affirmed with costs awarded to the Entities.  Neither side has requested attorney’s fees.
Chief Justice BURDICK, Justices EISMANN, J. JONES and HORTON CONCUR


Mayor Tom Dale and Team Tom had to know about this legal challenge to Storm Water fees and instead of waiting until the case cleared the Idaho Supreme Court they said taxpayer's be damned and went full speed ahead.  It has been reported to THE GUARDIAN several business have simply shut down over this fee.  It will be interesting to see if any legal actions are taken by persons and businesses harmed by Mayor Dale and Team Tom.  Stay tuned for more....

McKinstry Letter to Mayor Tom Dale on Trash Burner Project. Where Was The Due Diligence?

THE GUARDIAN obtained the letter in the photo from a source who wishes to remain anonymous.  It is also impossible to copy and paste it to my blog so I am doing the best I can.  The photo was taken of the actual letter and I am going to present the actual content herein:
"October 17, 2011


RE: Reduction on Phase 1 Municipal Solid Waste to Energy Feasibility Study  


Dear Mayor Dale:


Mckinstry remains committed to investigating the possibility of implementing a municipal solid waste to energy (MSWTE) facility that will provide sustainable energy and economic development for the City of Nampa and it participating partners.


Per our recent meeting, we have elected not to proceed to Phase 2 of this study, until such time that we can identify additional waste volumes that will make a larger MSWTE plant cost-effective under the recently revised PURPA power purchasing rates as set by Idaho PUC.  This investigation into additional waste volumes is being pursued at our expense.


As you know the Phase 1 report, which is now complete was to cost the City of Nampa $100,000 upon completion.  However, our technology partner, Dynamis Energy, has volunteered to absorb the costs ($40,000) that they incurred for their portion of the work to develop and implement the Phase 1 Report.  The beneficial result to the City is a decease to a total of $60,000.  In addition, McKinstry has elected to postpone invoicing the City of Nampa for this amount until we have the opportunity to investigate other waste streams further.


Thank you for your support and commitment to this project.  As the ESCO (Energy Service Company) partner to the City of Nampa, we affirm that Nampa is an example for other cities that are looking for innovative and sustainable solution in this new economy-ones that focus on integrated community partnerships and public-private cooperation.


I look forward to many years of rewarding collaboration.


Best regards,
David C. Naccarato
Business Development Manager


Cc: Cliff Long, Director-Nampa Development Corporation
       Lloyd Mahaffey, CEO-Dynamis Energy"


The above letter shows Nampa Urban Renewal is on the hook for $60K of Nampa taxpayer money down the drain for the work done by McKinstry.  This project is a very fine example of the "RUBBER STAMP" actions of Nampa City Council members.

The only sources of revenue on this project will be what they can get from Idaho Power for the electricity generated and any "Tipping charges" they can collect from waste haulers.  Current PURPA reimbursement rates authorized by Idaho PUC are $.06/KWH.  Again, it was going to be Urban Renewal issuing REVENUE bonds with no vote of the people as the financing instrument.

We find the lack of DUE DILIGENCE on the part of the people authorizing this study amazing and once again demonstrates it takes no talent to spend other people's money.

Rem Fox's Last Comments on Caldwell City Council Election

Rem Fox Last Comment on Guardian Before Tuesday's Election In Caldwell

Rem Fox is running against sitting Councilman Jim Blacker and would like to say:

I would like to encourage all citizens to get out and vote  on Tuesday November 8th.  I would also  like to thank everyone who has supported me throughout the campaign.  I appreciate your support very much.  The local elections this year are one of the most important events for Caldwell in recent years.  Throughout the United States we have major political and economic issues.  Quite frankly, people are tired of the same old politics and most of us do not see new leaders emerge that look much different than previous choices.  Optimism seems to be at an all time low.  In Caldwell, a majority of the residents I have spoken to seem to be feeling defeated when you look at all the challenges at the federal level, the state level and the city level.  A big part of these challenges is the inability to solve issues between political parties and the general public.  A lot of people are scared and angry over the entire mess.

We could spend hours discussing the complexity of the problems this country faces but that will not change our situation.  What will change our situation is something that I truly believe in; we need to look for leaders who bring different and better skills to elected positions.  There are pockets of success for a few cities that have managed to accomplish a shelter from the huge federal events that have taken place the last 5 years.  How they did this proves to me that creative solutions, innovations, and community involvement with local government are highly important factors to success.

In Idaho, we are challenged by our state's location and distance to major population centers.  This makes economic recovery harder for us and simply equates to delay for our state in the time line of prosperity in any recovery effort.  On September 15th an article from the Brookings Metropolitan Policy Program ranks Boise with Detroit and New Orleans as one of the biggest American cities most stuck in the economic doldrums.  The article was titled “major metro cities stuck running in place”.  I saw this article title and immediately thought this is exactly how our entire valley feels.  If Boise is running in place, where does that leave Caldwell?

We all love our way of life here in Idaho and especially in this valley.  However, to pay for this lifestyle we also need jobs.  That means we need industry, companies, science, and infrastructure.  We also have to balance this need with environmental management and smart government decisions.  We cannot expect the cities around us to fix our problems.  Waiting for that to happen is simply waiting for erosion to stop.  There are reasons Caldwell has not seen the success the other cities in the Boise Valley have seen.  I would like to work for you to enable Caldwell to find its identity and become what the citizens our city expect and deserve.

Methods used in the past will absolutely not be the methods for success in the future.  We face global competition for economic prosperity and our foreign competitors have a more aggressive effort for success against us.  They have not had Middle American comforts and they want what we have already achieved.  We are going to have to get more innovative at every level to regain a competitive advantage in the global market and sustain a new level of continuous improvement to move forward for our own security, livelihood, and a decent economic future for our children.

Those that have met me and know me as a friend can attest to this fact; I am a very driven individual.  I do not take on an executive role, volunteer role, or project role without great consideration for those who have chosen to place their faith and equity in me.  If I choose to do something, it will be with full awareness and attention to obtain what is expected of me.  You should also know that the expectations I place on myself are far and above what most people ever even consider of me.  It is part of who I am.  I am an idealist, an optimist, and tireless.  What I am not; is a career politician.

What I do have is leadership, community interest, empathy, and desire to help this community reach the potential we all recognize in Caldwell.  I have invested interests in Caldwell and in greater Idaho.  I am well educated and vastly experienced and will bring all my skills to the table.  But come Tuesday, what I need is your support to vote for me to represent this community with nothing less than my best efforts if I get elected to the Caldwell City Council.  I am running against a long time local community citizen; Jim Blacker.  Jim has dedicated many years to this community and should be thanked for his contributions. Mr. Blacker has served more than two terms on the city council.  I see a need for a generational change moving forward. We absolutely have to work smarter and at less cost to taxpayers with Urban Renewal sun-setting in two years, property values continuing to decline and tax revenues shrinking as we move forward to make Caldwell an even greater place to live and raise our kids.

   
Please vote for Rem Fox Seat #5, City Council, in Caldwell.

Thank you so much for your time,
Rem

Dynamis Inks Deal With Ada Commishes, What Were They Thinking?

Dynamis Inks Deal With Ada Commishes

By David R. Frazier

Dynamis Energy, the outfit that got $2,000,000 of taxpayer cash to design a “trash to electricity” generating plant signed a five year agreement with Ada County Tuesday.

Commish Vern Bisterfeldt voted against the project, citing “serial meetings,” lack of a bid, no performance bond, improper loans (of public funds) and no payback as Commish Sharon Ullman had promised. The “loan” was disguised as an award to Dynamis for technical plans–with no bid–and Dynamis is to buy back the plans.

The GUARDIAN has been wary of the deal from the beginning and our view hasn’t changed. The deal to draw up the plans leaves the county holding the bag as the plans cannot be used off the landfill site and the county will not make a penny off the sale of electricity if any is ever generated through burning 408 tons of trash each day.

The DAILY PAPER has reported the story without the bias the GUARDIAN offers, but we haven’t seen any results and the claims by Dynamis have too many excuses and unanswered questions…they still have a lot of loose ends to tie up including a building permit, DEQ approval, and an agreement with Idaho Power.

Financing the $60,000,000 will also be an interesting scenario in and of itself. A similar project in Nampa was deemed to not be economical by a non partisan consulting engineering firm hired by the city.
We have also been told by several sources that low prices for natural gas make it uneconomical to build the $60 million plant.

THE GUARDIAN got a chance to tour the ALLIED/REPUBLIC Waste facilities in Ada and Canyon County yesterday and see first hand the CNG filling stations at both sites.  The topic of burning solid waste for electricity generation was also discussed.  Here's the short answer.  At $.06/KWH this project will not be economically viable.  Feed-stocks were a project killer in Nampa.  Our landfills have a remaining life of over 100 years.  And finally inflows to the land fills in Ada and Canyon Counties are down by 40% over the past several years adding to the life of the land fills.

TAXES ARE JUST PLAIN HIGH IN CALDWELL AND NAMPA

One thing has become clear this election cycle ..PROPERTY TAXES are way too high in Caldwell and Nampa.  The Idaho Press Tribune reported $11/$1k of net taxable value in Caldwell, $10+/$1k in the fair city of Nampa.   Meanwhile Bob Henry reports in an earlier blog comment:

"Wow, the comment posted by "anonymous" is so far out in left field that I feel compelled to reply. First off, I am not against spending. My problem with urban renewal is that tax dollars are being diverted to URD, causing tax rates to go up without voter approval. I was on the school board for 12 years in Nampa. We ran several bond elections, getting the necessary 67% approval and got the schools built. In Nampa, the URD was approved by the vote of 3 City Council members. That's wrong. Nampa's levy rate is 10.15, Boise is 6.98, Meridian is 4.75, Eagle is 2.96. If you don't think there is still fat in the budget, you just don't understand budgeting."

By Bob Henry  on 10/31/11

Tonight THE GUARDIAN attended a meeting where it was reported the numbers of employees in Caldwell have gone up 9.4% since 2006 and a whopping 13% in Nampa since 2006.  The source of this information is reliable and it was obtained via a public records request.  Despite what Mayors Nancolas and Dale say about running a tight budget the numbers for PROPERTY TAXATION along with employee head counts tell a much different story.  If you are happy with the status quo then cast your city council vote for the incumbents if not the challengers are offering a change for taxpayers.

Jerry Kilbourne Running for Caldwell City Council Last Comments

I would like to say that I am always willing to listen.  Anyone can contact me at anytime using any mode of communication they wish; I believe all opinions are valid.  Lately, there has been a lot of free press about two of the candidates.  This is one of the main reasons I decided to run in the first place.  It’s a shame that voters don’t know that they have a choice and that they do not have to settle.  The community has been led to believe that they must settle between two choices that they don’t necessarily like.  The voters need to know that they have a third choice; there are 3 candidates for seat 5.  One of the candidates has a clean record and is honest, even on Social Media sites.  One of the Candidates has just as much education as the others, so it turns out.  One of the candidates is unencumbered by business dealings, pet projects or fighting to protect his image.  I have always said that one doesn’t have to vote for the same old thing, you don’t have to settle.  On November 8^th, as you enter the voting booth, ask yourself if you want four more years of the exact same thing or someone who already is forming an agenda or do you want the third choice, someone who truly cares and will bring a fresh perspective.  On November 8^th ask yourself the questions and vote but remember you have choices.  Think, decide, vote.

Jerry Kilbourne, Candidate Caldwell City Council, Seat 5

Jerrykilbourneidaho.org

information@jerrykilbourneidaho.org

facebook: Jerry Kilbourne for Caldwell City Council

Twitter: @jerry83605

249-8643