CdA To Raise Taxes 2 Percent

Item: Cd’A seeks 2 percent property tax hike: City hopes to raise $300K as part of lower budget /Tom Hasslinger, Press

More Info: The city of Coeur d’Alene wants to increase its property tax revenue by 2 percent, even though this year’s budget will be lower than last year’s. Residents will have their say on the matter Sept. 1 during a public hearing. The requested jump is 1 percent under the 3 percent cap cities are allowed to ask for under state law. A 2 percent increase amounts to $309,235. “All the revenues are down,” said Troy Tymesen, finance director. “I would be hard-pressed to find that amount in this year’s plan if we didn’t ask for that increase.”

Question: Many companies, such as the Spokesman-Review, have cut staff and ordered unpaid furloughs to balance budgets. Do you think the city has done all it can do to avoid raising taxes in a bad economy?