Hayden shines at bargain rates

Despite investing some $4.5 million and ripping up the heart of Hayden for most of 2007, the city's central corridor isn't the answer to every resident's dream.

We remember the literal upheaval along Government Way and the stultifying effect it had on local businesses. So do city officials. While they might regret that the project took so long and that the magnetic impact of attracting many new businesses has not yet fully occurred, we believe they would agree with us that the improvements were a wise investment.

The project was funded by multiple sources, including a $1 million low-interest federal loan, a $500,000 state block grant, Local Improvement District assessments and other local and state sources.

In our view even if the shiny new corridor doesn't significantly improve the downtown Hayden economy once the Great Recession's devastating impact is no longer felt, it will remain a point of pride for many residents. More importantly, we would like to point out that despite the hefty investment, there isn't a better property-tax bargain around. Government Way in Hayden is only a snapshot; the overall property-tax situation for all Hayden residents is the bigger picture.

With great public schools, adequate infrastructure and many beautiful neighborhoods, Hayden remains a Kootenai County tax bargain. Its levy rate is ridiculously low, and if we have a concern it is that the rate must eventually go up if services and quality of life are to remain so high.

According to 2009 figures, Hayden's property tax levy rate comes out to 95 cents per $1,000. If you live in Coeur d'Alene you're paying $4.91 per $1,000, according to the 2009 figures. In Post Falls, your levy rate comes out to $4.95 per $1,000, and in Rathdrum, it's $4.03 per $1,000.

Put another way: If you own a home with a net taxable value of $100,000 after the homeowner's exemption, the Hayden resident will pay $95 to the city; the Coeur d'Alene resident will pay $492 to that city; the Post Falls resident will pay $495 to that city; and the Rathdrum resident will pay $403 to that city.

Public servants are paid to absorb criticism, and no municipality operates flawlessly. However, it could be easily argued that no city in Kootenai County is managed better than Hayden, a community that really does more with far less.