POST FALLS, Idaho — Residents of Post Falls will see higher property taxes starting in October as the city council moves to address mounting budget pressures driven by inflation and municipal growth.
All six city council members voted to approve the city’s new budget this week. The city says inflation has climbed 47% in the past nine years, while property tax revenue has increased just 7% since 2009 — a gap that has strained the city’s finances. City leaders say the city’s growth is another factor contributing to the budget challenges.
For a homeowner with a house valued at $650,000, the increase translates to just over $2 more per month for the first year, then just under $1 more after that.
The city has been working to solve its budget problems through a combination of cost-cutting measures and revenue increases. Several city council members said they don’t want to raise taxes but don’t see other options.
Part of the additional revenue will go toward expanding the police department building. Captain Brian Harrison of the Post Falls Police Department says the building is bursting at the seams and more space will make operations more efficient.
“Number one, first and foremost, nobody wants to pay higher taxes,” Harrison said. “Unfortunately, there’s a handful of city services that the population just expects, right? We expect to turn on the faucet and have water, and we expect to call 911 and have a police officer respond within a reasonable amount of time.”
However, not everyone in the community supports the decision. One resident spoke against the increase during the meeting, saying the expenses will add up.
“We shouldn’t be raising it by 4%, we shouldn’t be raising it by 3% and we shouldn’t even be raising it by a single dollar,” said Randall Hildebrand, a Post Falls resident. “We should fund what you need from your reserves, cut the overhead you don’t need and leave the houses alone. Because a government that takes more from people who never agreed to give it has a name for what it’s doing: taxation without consent is theft.”
Mayor Randy Westlund has also put together a plan to save money. He’s suggesting improving efficiency, increasing revenue, cutting services and pushing for changes at the state level.
The mayor’s plan is just a draft. Westlund said he will gather feedback from the community and then it will be up to the city council to approve it.
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