Open Space & Park Development Bond
Kootenai County voters will decide Nov. 7, 2023, whether to support a $50 million bond to acquire public open space land and/or easements for scenic, recreational purposes and public use.
ABOUT THE BOND
Purpose of the Bond
Kootenai County is one of the fastest-growing counties in the Pacific Northwest. This growth has caused community-wide concern about the preservation of open space for use and enjoyment by Kootenai County residents. Open space is a limited resource and, without action, it may be lost to development.
Kootenai County officials recognized the pressures growth and development were placing on the Rathdrum Prairie as early as 2008. That year, County Commissioners and cities within the county passed resolutions with the aim of protecting the drinking water supply and addressing transportation and infrastructure concerns.
Rapid growth and development in the past decade have created a renewed sense of urgency to preserve the county’s open spaces. Kootenai County Commissioners are leaving it up to voters to decide if they want to invest in addressing traffic and congestion, preserving open space throughout the county, creating more parks, connecting recreation trails and protecting the drinking water supply by purchasing land above the Rathdrum Prairie Aquifer.
WHAT WILL IT FUND?
Goals of the Bond
Open Space
Preservation
Purchase and preserve natural open spaces with an emphasis on the Rathdrum Prairie.
Recreational Uses
Provide trail systems, connect existing trails, create play areas, dog parks, public gathering places and more.
Aquifer Protection
Protect the drinking water supply by purchasing and preserving open space over the Rathdrum Prairie Aquifer.
Save Tax Dollars
Prevent future overloading of area sewer treatment plants, potentially reducing taxpayer costs for future expansions of those treatment systems.
Have questions about the bond? View our FAQs →
$50 million bond
20-YEAR TERM
IMPACT TO TAXES
How much will you have to pay?
It depends on the taxable assessed value of your home. The individual cost per $100,000 of taxable assessed value is expected to decrease over the next 20 years with continued growth in Kootenai County’s economy and tax base. Here are some examples illustrating the cost to homeowners:
Example 1
$350,000 Home Value
($125,000) Homeowner’s Exemption
= $225,000 Taxable Value
$18/year
Example 2
$480,475 Home Value*
($125,000) Homeowner’s Exemption
= $355,475 Taxable Value
$28.44/year
*Kootenai County Certified Median Home Value as of January 2023.
Example 3
$600,000 Home Value
($125,000) Homeowner’s Exemption
= $475,000 Taxable Value
$38/year
The interest rate anticipated on the proposed bond issue, based upon current market rates, is three and seventy hundredths percent (3.70%) per annum. The amount to be repaid over the life of the bonds, based on the anticipated interest rate, is $71,980,000, consisting of $50,000,000 in principal and $21,980,000 of interest. The term of the bonds will not exceed twenty (20) years from the date of issuance.
The estimated average annual cost to the taxpayer on the proposed bond is a tax of $8 per $100,000 of taxable assessed value based on current conditions.
As of November 7, 2023, the total existing indebtedness of the County, including interest accrued, is $0.00.
HOW TO VOTE
Voting Information
Kootenai County residents who meet the following requirements can vote in the bond election:
- U.S. Citizen
- 18 years of age by Election Day
- Legal resident of Idaho and Kootenai County 30 days prior to election
- No legal disqualifications
For registration and voting information, please visit the Kootenai County Elections website.
Absentee Voting
The last day to request a mail-in absentee ballot is October 27th at 5:00 P.M. and all requests must be received at the Elections Department by this deadline. MORE INFO
Early Voting
Vote early at the Elections Department starting October 23 through November 3, 2023. Hours are Monday through Friday from 8 A.M. to 5 P.M. MORE INFO
Vote In Person
Vote at your polling place November 7, 2023. Polls are open 8 A.M. to 8 P.M. MORE INFO
Have a Question or Comment?
You can also find answers to Frequently Asked Questions HERE
Questions?
View Frequently Asked Questions HERE