A state official revealed last week that it is likely illegal for Kootenai County commissioners to create an advisory board for property valuation appeals, which the officials have been pursuing as a time- and cost-saving measure. "The legal authority to assign property tax appeals to an advisory board is unclear, but under current statutes, I believe the procedure will not withstand a court challenge," wrote Carol Olsson, deputy attorney general, in a letter to Rep. Frank Henderson, who had approached the office about the legality of the commissioners' idea. But the county is still going to create the new advisory board as planned, said Commissioner Jai Nelson, their legal staff holding ground that it is legal and will give taxpayers a fair say/Alecia Warren, Coeur d'Alene Press. More here.

Question: Is Kootenai County wise to go ahead with an advisory board for property valuation appeals that the attorney general's office considers illegal?