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Additional information is provided below for each question
This information is intended to provide clarity on the issue and to disseminate information that is not common knowledge or easily accessible. The intent is to provide the voters with relative information and some historical information that brought this issue to a vote.
This information is not intended to cast disparaging remarks towards any individual. Those involved in the process are businessmen and developers. It is the goal of all businessmen and developers to position themselves to influence public policy and to pursue goals that will protect and improve their financial investments as well as maximize their returns.
Does Crouch meet the definition of a RESORT CITY that derives the major portion of its economic well being from businesses catering to recreational needs and meeting the needs of people traveling to Crouch for an extended period of time?
LOCAL OPTION TAX -WHAT IS IT?
A Local Option Tax is a tax authorized by Idaho State Statue that allows specific cities to collect a tax on clearly identified goods and services sold or transferred within the jurisdictional boundaries of the city.
Specifically, Idaho State Statute Chapter 10 Section 50-1044 reads as follows:
AUTHORITY FOR RESORT CITY RESIDENTS TO APPROVE AND RESORT CITY GOVERNMENTS TO ADOPT, IMPLEMENT AND COLLECT CERTAIN CITY NONPROPERTY TAXES. The voters of any resort city with a population not in excess of ten thousand (10,000) according to the most recent census within the state of Idaho, organized under the general laws of the state, special charter, or a general incorporation act, are hereby given the freedom to authorize their city government to adopt, implement and collect one (1) or more local-option nonproperty taxes as provided herein. A resort city is a city that derives the major portion of its economic well-being from businesses catering to recreational needs and meeting needs of people traveling to that destination city for an extended period of time. The corporate authorities of any such resort city are hereby given the freedom and authority to adopt, implement and collect one (1) or more local-option nonproperty taxes as provided herein, if approved by the required majority of city voters voting in an election as provided herein. No local-option nonproperty tax proposal may be presented to resort city voters for approval or modification for a period of eleven (11) months after an election to approve or disapprove such tax. The election may be a special election conducted for the exclusive purpose of approving or disapproving such tax or may be conducted as a part of any other special or general city election.
This section clearly describes a RESORT CITY as a city having a population less than 10,000: that the city derives the major portion of its economic well-being from businesses catering to recreational needs and meeting the needs of people traveling to that destination city for an extended period of time.
Does the City of Crouch meet the legal definition of a Resort City as defined by the statute?
The City of Crouch has a population of less than 10,000.
Does the City of Crouch derive the major portion of its economic well-being from businesses catering to recreational needs?
Can you identify those businesses that cater to recreational needs?
Do people travel to the City of Crouch for an extended period of time?
If you answered “NO” to any one of the questions, then the City of Crouch does not meet the statutory definition of a resort city.
An impromptu poll was taken on a Facebook page which provided the following results:
Do you want Crouch to become a “Little McCall”?
This is the term used by Stephen Fitz, owner of the Merc and Boardwalk buildings at one of the LOT Committee meetings. Mr. Fitz wants downtown Crouch to be like the City of McCall.
Updated 10/23/2021:
After the original publication of this page, there was a conversation with Mr. Fitz. Mr. Fitz discussed his concern that the information as presented could be misconstrued and taken out context.
As previously stated, this platform is intended to provide factual information and not intended to cast disparaging remarks towards any individual. In keeping and maintaining that standard, the request by Mr. Fitz to express and clarify the message he was intending to convey at the meeting is sincerely welcomed and is as follows:
Mr. Fitz intent was to express his desire that the downtown area of Crouch be one of quaintness and less asphalt.
Mr. Fitz remains committed to being a contributing member of the community and expressed his desire to continue working with the community to address concerns.
Do you want to be forced to connect to a city owned domestic water system?
In 2015, the City of Crouch adopted a water ordinance that requires every parcel of land or premises within the boundaries of the City that is improved for occupancy and use of potable water, within 300 feet of a water supply line, by any person or persons, or as a commercial business, shall be connected to the City.
The owner or person in charge of such land shall make or cause to be made such connection before such land is occupied for a dwelling or commercial building. All charges associated with the laying of pipe from the dwelling or facilities to be served to the City’s water mains and all other costs incurred in connecting to said mains shall be borne by the property owner. All such connections to the City’s main shall be properly deigned and constructed in conformity with requirements specified by the City. If a parcel of land in not within 300 feet of a water main, connection is optional.
Currently the rate is $25.00 per month and a public hearing will be held on November 10th to increase the rate to $40.00 per month The information provided to the city indicates that water rates of $50.00 to $60.00 per month are necessary to fund the water system. One long term funding source is noted to require a water rate fee of $75.00 to $82,00 per month. The ordinance will be changed to allow future rate increases to be done by resolution, not requiring publication or public input.
Do you want to be connected to a city owned sewer system dependent upon a contract with a private company for water treatment?
The LOT committee public presentation brought up the subject of a city sewer system and stated it would be required in the future because many septic systems were at the end of life and there was not space for new ones.
An inquiry to the Central District Health was made to validate the statement made by the LOT committee. The Central District Health office was unable to provide a list of any septic systems that are failing and stated that they cannot predict which systems would fail or when.
One of the stated goals made by the LOT committee during the presentation was to consider long term sewer solutions.
One of the stated purposes for uses of the Local Option Tax was a city sewer system, this is referenced in the LOT ordnance as “public safety and sanitation”.
In order for a sewer system to be functional, a treatment facility must be constructed. The city does not own any land suitable for a sewer treatment facility.
So why is the idea of a city sewer system such a big part of the local option tax?
When Tim Fritzley, owner of the Edge Resort, made his presentation to the city council during the annexation hearing, he informed the city council that a major component of the project was a state-of-the-art water treatment plant using the latest technology and operations controls. The presentation indicated that not only was the system designed to meet the needs of the Edge Resort, but that it was capable of expanding to 2 ½ times of process capacity.
This would mean that the City of Crouch would have to enter into a contract with a private company, in this case, the Edge Resort to process the sewage water, a very financially vulnerable position for the city.
The KTVB interview with committee members also referenced at the end of the segment that the tax dollars could be used for water and sewer,
A reasonable conclusion would be that the tax would help the city be in a better position for water and sewer grants that would install a sewer line down Middlefork Road to the Edge Resort property for contracted water treatment services.
Do you want a sidewalk from River Pond RV Park passing the Dirty Shame to Packer John Road?
The LOT committee has proposed a use for the tax to construct a sidewalk from River Pond RV Park to Packer John Rd.
Here is an artist rendition of the sidewalk presented during the public presentation
Do you want tax dollars to be used to improve and maintain private property in the downtown area?
There is very little city owned public property downtown. Most travelers on Old Crouch Road in the downtown area have no idea that they are traveling on private property. The area around city hall, the community center and the museum belong to the city everything else is private property. Improvements to the private property would enhance the value of the property at taxpayer expense and with no cost to the property owner.
Below are two more artist renditions from the public presentation of the improvements in the downtown area
Do you want Crouch to begin infrastructure projects utilizing grant programs that will require long term debt?
One stated goal of the Local Option Tax is to get the city in a financial position to take advantage of grants for extending the water system and developing a sewer system.
Mountain Waterworks provided information to the City regarding the available funding sources , long-term debt commitment and future water rates..
The following two tables are from the information provided to the city regarding the water system
This table shows the long term debt of 30 years using state funding. A need for 60% debt if using USDA Rural Development Program combined with a 30 to 40 percent grant.
The available funding is a combination of grants and financing requiring the city to meet the stipulations of the grant requirements, most generally being forced connections and water meters as well as taking on new debt
This table below provides information on the needed water rates and emphasises that grant funding would require a 60% loan.
If you live in the Mountain View subdivision, do you want your community water system to come under the control and management of the city?
The City of Crouch entered into an agreement to acquire the domestic water system in the downtown area.
At the city council meeting held on 6/27/2019, Mountain Waterworks made a presentation to the city council where they stated:
Although the City owns and operates the existing water system, the customers that are provided water cannot affordably sustain the system on their own. Without additional customers, the water system is NOT a sustainable City asset, but rather a liability.
The following additional information was provided:
Alternative Summary:
In order to maintain a viable water system, the City must add customers and generate enough revenue to pay for the capital costs, operation and maintenance, and future replacement of the system.
Four alternatives were evaluated:
- Alternative 1 – Provide service to up to 25 EDUs
- Alternative 2 – Upgrades required to provide service to approximately 115 EDUs
- Aternative 3 – Regionalization or divestiture of system
- Alternative 4 – No Action Alternative (continue as is)
The city formally selected Alternative 2 as the preferred alternative.
The City of Crouch currently has approximately 125 to 150 parcels, of which not all are developed. The city currently is providing water service to approximately 8 to 15 users. If it is the goal of the city to expand the water system and meet the system size requirements of any grant, the city needs to acquire additional water customers.
Considering that Mountain View subdivision has approximately 50 parcels and an operational water system, the intended course of action is that the city acquires the system owned and maintained by the Mountain View Subdivision.
The question that follows is:
Will Mountain View Subdivision be willing to give control and management of their community water system to the city?
Do you want the future of Crouch to be guided by developers and downtown commercial building owners?
This section requires that the notice provided at the beginning be restated here.
This information is not intended to cast disparaging remarks towards any individual. Those involved in the process are businessmen and developers. It is the goal of any businessman and developer to position themselves to influence public policy and to pursue goals that will protect and improve their financial investments as well as maximize their returns.
This information is provided in order to bring transparency to the process and to gain an understanding of the dynamics regarding committee participation and final recommended actions.
Google Earth view of downtown and recent annexation property interest held by committee members..
Additional Pages:
CROUCH OPTION TAX (MAIN PAGE)
IS A LIQUOR LICENSE THE REASON BEHIND THE OPTION TAX
THE TRUTH ABOUT THE LIQUOR SALES REVENUE SHARING
RESEARCH ON THE LOCAL OPTION TAX COMMITTEE REASONS THIS TAX IS NEEDED
YOUR VOTE COUNTS ONLY IF YOU CAST IT
DON’T LET APATHY GIVE THE ADVANTAGE
Regardless of your position on the Local Option Tax,
it is imperative that you cast your ballot.
Failure to cast a ballot will only makes it easier for the other side to prevail.