Proposed freeze on Idaho property taxes draws support, rage

BOISE, Idaho (CBS2) — The House Revenue and Taxation Committee room was packed Tuesday for a public hearing on HB 409, Rep. Mike Moyle's bill for a one-year, statewide freeze on property taxes.

So many people showed up, that the committee will continue the public hearing Wednesday morning at 8:30.

"It's not fair," said Rep. Moyle, the House Majority leader, about skyrocketing property taxes. "People who grew up in Idaho are being driven from their homes. In today's society, we don't even own our own land."

The last time there was such a freeze on Idaho property taxes was in 1979.

"If the legislature doesn't act, the people will act," Moyle said. "They will get an initiative on the ballot."

But Madison County Commissioner Brent Mendenhall, who strongly opposes the freeze for the impact it will have in his county, put it another way: "If we don't do something responsible, the people will revolt."

Such is the passion swirling around property taxes in Idaho in 2020.

Moyle said the crisis is such that the state needs to hit "the pause button" and look for a solution.

But Nampa Mayor Debbie Kling said the loss of revenue from property taxes would be devastating for cities and counties. "A freeze for a year?" she said. "I have union contracts I have to adhere to. I can't do it with a freeze on."

Bannock County Commissioner Terrel Tovey said the impact on Bannock County would be like a $900,000 sledgehammer. "I'll have to get rid of drug court, the fair, 4-H. I need to hire two more prosecutors.," Tovey said. "This is not a well thought out process."

But others spoke in support of the freeze. "We need to hit pause and bring people to the table," said Fred Birnbaum with the Idaho Freedom Foundation. " It's important to have a freeze. Property taxes are going up at an unsustainable rate."