Cda May Ban Annexation After Fee Program Killed

The City Council next week will vote on a proposal to block annexations until officials can find a new way to pay for road construction and other services driven by development.

“If we aren’t given some relief, we will have to do something,” Mayor Al Hassell said.

City officials were frustrated by last month’s Idaho Supreme Court ruling outlawing their impact fee program. It had raised $476,000 in 15 months.

Last week, Hassell and Councilman Ron Edinger agreed to present an annexation ban plan to other elected officials for consideration.

If approved, the ban would block several annexation requests scheduled for City Council consideration in coming months, including the controversial 76-acre Beauty Park subdivision.

The ban’s theory: The city shouldn’t raise taxes on existing residents to pay for growth to accommodate new residents.

The proposal has support among some residents - many of whom want the city to go even further.

“If existing impact fees cannot be utilized, all new construction and high-density residential building permits should be held in abeyance and not issued…” resident Al Sharon wrote in a letter to officials.

That sentiment doesn’t extend to all council members.

“I think it’s the wrong approach,” said Councilman Kevin Packard.

“It’s our job to look at each individual annexation request - not to have some blanket ban,” agreed Councilwoman Nancy Sue Wallace.

The Legislature could approve a bill designed to pave the way for impact fees. A House tax committee approved such a proposal Wednesday.

That would not make the ban a moot point, Hassell said. The city would still lose months of income while it redesigned its now-illegal fee-collection program to comply with the new law.

The council meets at 7 p.m. Tuesday in City Hall, 710 Mullan Ave.