Dear Readers,
In the End of Session letter, below, which some of you may have also received by mail, I report that the Urban Renewal bill (H606) had a slim chance of making it through both chambers of the legislature. That letter was dated two days before the end of the session. Well, “slim” happened! The bill went through the House, where they added an onerous amendment, then came through the Senate tax committee and to the Senate floor, where I would finally have a vote. I did try, without success, to remove the amendment added in the House. That amendment grandfathered all existing Urban Renewal districts from accountability if they significantly change their plans in the future, and it stays in place now. So, while I am not happy with the lack of tenacity this law has in holding districts to the rules, there are other parts of the new law to help taxpayers demand proper behavior by Urban Renewal Boards.
You can read the bill at legislature.idaho.gov, then go to Bill Center and find House bill 606. The new law allows city councils to pass an ordinance declaring their urban renewal boards will stand for public election. It also specifies the Mayor and council will appoint replacements for any vacant seats on the board — the board used to choose their own. And there will be a central repository for Urban Renewal plans and updates at the State Tax Commission, with mandatory reporting. There are more changes in this new law but some key issues will still need to be addressed in the future.
Keeping you in the Loop 