[Vision2020] State Tax Commission Study of Latah County

[Tom Trail]

Visionaries:  The State Tax Commision has recently completed a study of Latah
property valuations.  The Tax Commission is authorized to see if Idaho counties
are in compliance with state standards.  This is adopted by rule and follows
national guidelines.

At present there are 13 counties in the state that are not in compliance with
state standards.  The Tax Commission has the authority to step into a county
situation when not in compliance and set new rates.  Alan Dornfest of the
State Tax Commission told me that the Commission only does this as the last
resort.

Latah County is not among the 13 counties not meeting standards but needs
to update rates in the area of commerical and improved urban housing. 
The rates
for rural housing meet standards and the Commission does not set rates for
farm land.

The improved urban housing category lags behind standards by about an 
average of 10-15% and commerical by about 10%.  These figures are the 
averages and the
range for individual properties will vary either below or above the average
figures.  The  impact on properties that are well below the accepted
standards could be economically devastating if the strategy was pursued that
required the owner of property to pay the readjusted rate immediately.

I've talked with Commissioner Paul Kimmell and Mr. Dornfest of the State Tax
Commission about the implementation problem to bring the county up to 
standards.
It is apparent that the State Tax Commission will give Steve Fiscus and the
Commissioners a great deal of latitude in developing a gradual phase in of
incrementally allowing property owners to reach accepted valuation standards.
It is my understanding that Steve Fiscus is heading up a committee to study the
local situation and come up with recommendations.  The State Tax Commission
will be meeting with the commissioners late this month.  I've urged the
Commissioners to develop the longest phase in period possible so as to minimize
the negative economic impact on commerical property and home owners.

Rep. Tom Trail




-- 
Dr. Tom Trail
International Trails
1375 Mt. View Rd.
Moscow, Id. 83843
Tel:  (208) 882-6077
Fax:  (208) 882-0896
e mail ttrail@moscow.com