Treasurer: Cd’A should welcome advisory vote

As a duly elected county official and fiduciary for all county residents, I do not believe the city’s arguments against an advisory vote are sufficient justification to deny residents the right to be heard on significant matters affecting their community. I believe a better approach is to be open, honest and candid regarding the financial realities facing our communities and the undeniable fact that the city (via ignite cda) is demanding county property taxpayers fund city infrastructure in opposition with the ideals of representative government.

Furthermore, relying on community outreach programs, technical panels, and “immense” public input when determining constituent support for the Health Corridor is a poor substitute for a free, fair and non-binding advisory vote. Arguing otherwise is intellectually dishonest.

I agree with the City Council on one “fact.” The direct effect on property taxpayers with the creation of the Health Corridor URD is “not zero.” Based on the city’s own published reports, the tax redistribution is $46 million. Certainly, $46 million is “not zero.”

I am troubled, but not surprised, by the sobering realization that city decision makers are no longer even pretending to care about the financial ramification for other taxing districts and its taxpayers. The legitimate concerns raised by taxpayers meet with contempt and scorn. The active and coordinated resistance against any advisory vote is creating reasonable doubts regarding the often-repeated declarations of community support for the Health Corridor.

The irrefutable truth is Kootenai County has no authority over the city-controlled tax redistribution mechanism known as the Health Corridor Urban Renewal District. The city enthusiastically embraces this fact as communicated by the City Council. It is equally true the county has the statutory authority to place a question on the ballot pertaining to any issue before the citizens. I believe a countywide advisory vote will help county officials meet their fiduciary obligations of representing the best interests of our constituents.

The county has the superior authority of representing county taxpayers. The alternative is the unflattering positioning of abdicating the county’s fiduciary responsibilities and deferring to the City Council and mayor. I will not be a willing participant.

I ask the City Council, do you truly want to know what residents of our shared communities want? It’s a simple question.

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Steve Matheson is Kootenai County Treasurer.