Resort County Tax Bill Goes To Batt

The Idaho House on Wednesday approved minor Senate amendments to the resort county tax bill, sending the legislation to the governor.

The move was the final legislative approval of the bill, which applies only to Kootenai County. Requested by Post Falls, Coeur d’Alene and Kootenai County, the legislation allows local voters, by a 60 percent vote, to approve a local sales tax. At least half the proceeds would go to property tax relief.

The two cities and the county hired lobbyists Chuck Lempesis and Mike Kane to help develop the legislation and shepherd it through, paying them more than $30,000.

If voters approve a 1 percent sales tax, it would raise an estimated $11 million the first year. , DataTimes