A group of Idaho lawmakers are working on a solution to combat rising property taxes for Gem State homeowners.
The legislative working group, made up of eight Republicans and two Democrats from both the House and Senate, held a hearing Monday as it crafts its plan prior to the 2020 legislative session. The panel took testimony from experts, and senior citizens who are struggling to stay in their homes. The group also heard from several urban and rural county officials who testified how they use property taxes, and urged lawmakers to exercise caution when they consider reducing a key funding source for public services.
House Majority Leader Mike Moyle says the property tax solution lies with the counties themselves, and called on local municipalities to alter their spending. He also suggested the state change the current formula that allows a taxing district to raise property tax rates by up to 3 percent every year, unless the district applies new construction or new annexations, which allows them to collect even more.
Moyle says removing the new construction component would help rural counties with little or no growth, while larger counties’ growth component wouldn’t shift to everyone else.
Meanwhile, Democrat Boise Senator Grant Burgoyne believes the state isn’t paying its fair share to the counties. He suggested possible legislation that could be introduced in the 2020 session to try and provide some relief to property owners, such as a bill to double the amount of circuit breaker property tax relief.
The working group plans to meet at least one more time before the session starts in January. (KTVB)
