SR Endorses Half-Cent Sales Tax

Apparently, Kootenai County property owners have embraced the local-option tax, which shifts the cost of jail expansion off the unpopular property tax and onto the sales tax, paid to some extent by out-of-county visitors and tourists. The cost of the expansion causes sticker shock — $30 million in construction and $20 million in “soft costs” for design, financing and contingency funds. But no one can argue that the expansion isn’t needed. Nor that the property tax relief isn’t wanted. Despite concerns raised by Concerned Businesses of North Idaho, the option tax has worked well for Kootenai County. Voters should support it again.

For the rest of my editorial endorsing the local-option sales tax, click here .