Idaho guardsmen may get tax break

Idaho National Guardsmen currently serving in Iraq might get a break on their Kootenai County property taxes as a way to say thank you.

Rep. Frank Henderson, R-Post Falls, asked the Kootenai County Commission on Tuesday to consider waiving half of this year’s property taxes for the members of the 116th Brigade Combat Team. It’s estimated that about 80 members of the company live in Kootenai County. It’s unknown how many own property and homes.

Commission Chairman Gus Johnson said the county will work with American Legion Post 143 in the upcoming weeks to get an accurate list of property owners and calculate the financial impact to the county. Johnson and county Finance Director David McDowell both don’t expect a significant cost.

“I think it’s just wonderful,” Johnson said of the proposal offered by Henderson, a former Kootenai County commissioner. “It definitely has merit.”

If approved by the commission, each guardsman could apply for the property tax waiver. The commission then would scrutinize each application to confirm that the family suffered a financial hardship during deployment to Iraq.

The commission can waive or defer property taxes for individuals who have a hardship, a definition that’s up to the commission’s discretion.

The waiver proposal also would include the Idaho Air National Guard.

“This is a marvelous way for this community to say `thank you’ to those people,” Henderson said.

Part of this year’s property taxes are due Dec. 20, just a few weeks before the guardsmen are expected home. Henderson said many of them gave up good-paying civilian jobs to serve in Iraq and that sacrifice has caused financial strain on many local families.

Rep. Bob Nonini and Sen. Dick Compton, both Post Falls Republicans, joined Henderson in the request.

“It’s a generous offer,” said Lt. Col. Stephanie Dowling, a spokesperson for the Idaho National Guard.

She doesn’t recall a county ever before proposing to waive property taxes for guardsmen.