IFF Opposes Shoshone County URD

On May 21, Shoshone County voters will be asked to create an urban renewal agency. Voters are told that doing so will not raise taxes. This is simply not accurate. Idaho Freedom Foundation has studied urban renewal throughout Idaho, and in no instance has urban renewal been used without some impact to taxpayers. Urban renewal diverts taxpayer money to projects for a cost, and that cost is always borne by someone, usually through higher levies to service either debt or structures authorized by urban renewal districts. County commissioners have said that their only intent is to reinvigorate mining by fixing Big Creek Road. This is hardly an “urban” corridor, which should raise red flags for voters. And for the property owners of on Big Creek, don’t be surprised what comes next: The county will re-assess your home, determine it is worth more because of the new road, and that increase in valuation will be used to pay back the debt associated with the road project/ Erik Makrush , Idaho Freedom Foundation. More here .

Question: Would Coeur d’Alene have progressed as nicely as it has without the use of urban renewal laws and tax increment financing?