Boise proposes tax increase, new police hires in next year’s budget

BOISE — With a booming population and increasing demand for services, the city of Boise has focused its proposed fiscal year 2019 budget on keeping pace with city needs and large projects.

The $752.8 million budget proposal up for consideration by the Boise City Council beginning Tuesday includes funding for seven new police officers, construction of a new library and $3 million for the divisive Boise Sports Park public-private partnership.

The $236.1 million general fund, which sources two-thirds of its revenue from property taxes, saw a proposed $18.3 million, or 8 percent, increase. Five percent of the increase would come from new development coming onto the tax rolls. The other part of the revenue boost would come from the city proposing to increase property tax collections by 3 percent, the maximum increase allowed by state code.

According to budget documents, the average home real estate assessment in Boise jumped 13 percent in the past year, from roughly $250,000 to $283,000. Combining the city’s growth with the proposed 3 percent property tax increase would result in a property tax bill increase from $1,036 to $1,188, or $152, for the average homeowner. Even if City Council does not implement the 3 percent increase, the city estimates the average property tax increase would be $119 for the next year.

Mayor Dave Bieter’s Chief of Staff Jade Riley said the aim for this year’s budget is to use the increase in revenue to keep up with operations and maintenance needs of the booming city, instead of tackling new projects.

“The last couple of years we worked hard to bring on a number of new assets, like a number of new parks that have come online, but now we’re seeing the need to increase maintenance and operation for those new assets,” he said.

For every dollar collected in tax money, the city said it spends close to one-third on the Boise Police Department. Riley said the addition of seven new patrol officers for BPD is one of the biggest changes in this year’s budget, which is directed at addressing both the looming possibility of opioid abuse hitting the city harder in the future, as well as a general increase in calls for service.

“We do anticipate probably for the next couple of years to keep adding beyond that,” he said. “In our forecast we’re thinking at least five officers per year for the next few years to feel comfortable for police services.”

In addition to these officers, the budget also proposes adding three full-time employees in the Planning and Development Services department to keep up with the growing workload of building permits and zoning requests.

The budget also proposes $69 million for the new Main Library, which will be paid for from a combination of the city’s general fund, philanthropic support, debt and “other government agency support.”

In the $97.9 million capital fund, which is sourced from a combination of general fund revenue, impact fees and other non-tax sources, the city has set aside funding for the $3 million contribution to the Boise Sports Park, $4 million in “major equipment purchases” and another $3.4 million in repair and maintenance at city parks and facilities.

Overall, the city’s proposed budget is 19.6 percent higher than the current budget. Eric Bilimoria, the city’s interim budget manager, said much of this increase is due to large capital projects being paid for with city enterprise funds, such as the Boise Airport or the city’s water renewal fund. These funds are not supported by taxpayer dollars, but source their funds from user fees or other outside sources.

The proposed airport budget includes $18.7 million for a 40,000-square-foot cargo facility, a $14.5 million five-level employee parking garage, and the relocation of the parking exit plaza for $1.2 million.

In the city’s water renewal fund, the capital budget proposes $4.6 million for the first phase of a major overhaul of the Lander Street Water Renewal Facility, as well as nearly $3 million for upgrades at the West Boise Filtration plant.

The public will be able to weigh in on the budget at a City Council town hall on July 11, as well as at a formal budget public hearing on July 17 on the third floor of City Hall. Residents can also offer comment by contacting the mayor’s office, 208-972-8520.