By Molly O’Reilly
Reader Contributor
A local political candidate is promising to eliminate property taxes. As the old saying goes, “If it sounds too good to be true — beware!”
Is it voodoo economics? For my vote, Scott Herndon will need to produce detailed figures of how much money is needed to replace property taxes statewide and exactly where the state will find that money. In 2025, what were the total property taxes paid statewide? How much was paid by homeowners (with a homeowner exemption)? What is the dollar figure of property taxes collected on second homes? Commercial/industrial/office/rental? Other?
Agencies at the state level have been cutting their budgets for the last few years as revenue lagged. Family caregivers of disabled people living at home no longer receive any compensation. Public schools are not funded by the state at the level the Idaho Constitution requires. Exactly where are all these funds to replace all property taxes? Once we have the property tax total, it will be clear what revenue needed is.
While we wait for this essential information, let’s think about the property-tax-elimination-scheme from a different perspective.
Today, as payers of property taxes sent directly to our own county, we enjoy a great deal of local control (although the Legislature chips away at it). Dover and Sandpoint have measures on the November ballot to more adequately fund their local roads. Sandpoint previously voted to start making its wastewater system meet standards and be ready for city growth. We have voted to make the Lake Pend Oreille School District levy permanent. We as taxpayers sometimes vote down a local levy. Several fire districts experienced that last year. What rights will we keep to fund or deny a level of funding to services we want or need?
Will this scheme allow the Legislature to decide that libraries are not needed? That fire, water, sewer and highway districts need to answer to the Legislature instead of their local boards? Because some legislators hate Boise and the Ada County Highway District, will we have financial restrictions put on our cities and roadway funding?
Tax cuts at the state level have thrown additional costs on us locally. How bad will the potholes be without locally controlled property taxes? Will our schools be forced to eliminate sports? No longer compete in academic competitions? Have huge class sizes? Will our libraries vanish? Our local service districts be starved of funds?
A previous county commissioner reminded us that we are a “Buyer Beware State.” Demand solid facts and see draft legislation before giving up control of local affairs!
Molly O’Reilly is a skeptical Republican and longtime Sandpoint resident.
