Tax Bill Favored By County Advances Lobbyists Get Credit After Panel Passes Measure Allowing Kootenai County Sales Tax Vote

Kootenai County officials saw their investment in professional lobbyists begin to pay off Friday, when their special resort tax bill cleared the House Revenue & Taxation Committee.

The measure now goes to the full House, where Rep. Steve Antone, the committee chairman, will carry it.

“I think it’s a good bill,” Antone, R-Rupert, said. “They’re impacted up there quite a bit by tourists coming through….They might as well help pay some of the costs associated with their influx.”

The bill applies only to Kootenai County. It allows the people, by a 60 percent vote, to impose a local sales tax (likely 1 percent or less) countywide. At least half the money raised would be used to reduce property taxes, and Kootenai County Administrator Tom Taggart said the county probably would choose to put as much as 75 or 80 percent toward property tax relief.

Lobbyist Chuck Lempesis, who with partner Mike Kane was hired to represent Coeur d’Alene, Post Falls and Kootenai County, greeted and thanked each committee member by name as they filed out after the meeting.

Coeur d’Alene Mayor Al Hassell said of the lobbying, “It did help us, no doubt about that, because they were able to spend the time here to bring the information to the different legislators. I can’t be here full time. I have a business to run. Our lobbyists can be here every day.”

Hassell, Taggart and Post Falls City Councilman Gus Johnson testified before the committee. But it’s difficult for North Idaho folks to get to Boise on the short notice that legislative committees give, Hassell said.

“We find out the day before, and we can’t get tickets.”

He had to stay until 9 p.m. Friday, to get one of the few remaining seats back north.

Johnson said after the vote, “It will lower property taxes. That’s my bottom line.”

Post Falls is trying to get a school bond passed. This legislation would make such efforts easier, Johnson said. Plus, he said, “We’re not forcing this on anyone. The voters get to decide.”

Hagadone Corp. lobbyist Russell Westerberg also testified in favor of the bill. Lobbyists for the Idaho Retailers Association and the Idaho Hospitality and Travel Association opposed it.

Hassell told the committee, “This bill mandates nothing. It really costs nothing to you. It gives the local area an option to address some of its own needs. Let our voters decide for themselves what’s needed.”

, DataTimes