Arrow-right Camera

Color Scheme

Subscribe now

Just making ‘em all float the same…

Rep. Jim Clark, R-Hayden Lake, explains legislation he introduced regarding float-homes that makes sure they're all taxed as real property, rather than personal property, 2/4/09 (Betsy Russell / The Spokesman-Review)

Rep. Jim Clark, R-Hayden Lake, introduced legislation today regarding float-homes, an often-contentious issues in North Idaho, but the bill’s not particularly controversial. It changes a definition so that all float homes, regardless of which type of utility hookup and sewer lines they have, are classified as real property rather than personal property for tax purposes. Now, the float homes at Bayview that have sewer lines that connect to onshore systems fit the definition, but some on Lake Coeur d’Alene that have different types of onboard sewage storage systems don’t. The reason it matters: Last year’s legislation to give businesses a tax break on personal property tax otherwise would unintentionally apply to some float-homes, once it took effect (it hasn’t yet, due to down state revenues). The House Revenue & Taxation Committee agreed to introduce the bill, which Clark said came to him from Kootenai County Assessor Mike McDowell.

* This story was originally published as a post from the blog "Eye On Boise." Read all stories from this blog