Breaking Down Recall Myths #3

This gripe listed on the Strategery Group flyer that Mary Souza circulated at the Republican Women’s Club luncheon last week might be the only one with some truth to it. In part. Some salaries of long-time department heads and their assistants are high. Then why wasn’t Councilman Ron Edinger part of the recall. He’s been on the City Council since the 1960s. He would be responsible, more than anyone else, for approving the ever higher salaries. Can anyone argue that the city portion of their property tax bill has jumped significantly. Sara Meyer made a good point yesterday when she wrote:

Last year the city council did NOT exercise its option to take any of the 3% increase that they are eligible to acquire from property tax owners. The City of Coeur d’ Alene has the taxing authority of $2,002,089 which is the sum total of property taxes that have not been taken over time, also known as foregone taxes. This figure builds up every time the full 3% increase is not authorized by Council. This is the 2nd largest amount in the state.

Question: Shouldn’t Mayor Bloem & the City Council get credit for keeping city spending down, even if some salaries are high?