Help tell the tale of tax toll

The assessments have landed.

How does it feel?

If those feelings translate to the fact that you’re being taxed out of your home, we want to hear from you.

This is a legitimate request. No hidden agenda or ulterior motive.

Taxing entities are preparing budgets for the next fiscal year. They have a tough job, trying to match the services citizens demand with budgets citizens can afford.

Still, the cries of people being taxed out of their homes ring out.

This is not an uncommon refrain, particularly from senior citizens living on fixed incomes. And it will likely get louder as property values go up, up, up.

It’s a very good thing to own a home that is much more valuable today than it was the day you purchased it. However, it’s also understandable that unless the owner is ready to sell, the appreciating asset can feel a lot more like a liability when the tax man comes ‘round.

The question now is, who’s on the verge of being displaced or forced to sell because they literally cannot afford the taxes that come with home ownership? The Press would like to hear your story, before all the taxing entities in Kootenai County get too far down the road in establishing their next budgets.

To be clear, we'll need to see documentation, preferably over the past five or 10 years, showing how your property taxes have increased and how those increases have impacted you. In sharing your story, we will keep your identity confidential if you wish.

The Press is not seeking to hear from those who are simply opposed to rising property taxes. To varying degrees, we’re all opposed to giving more of our money to those doing the government’s business.

We’re looking for people who have been forced to sell, evicted or credibly fear being forced out of their homes because they can no longer afford to pay escalating property taxes.

If this sounds like your situation and you’re willing to share your dilemma with The Press, please contact Editor Mike Patrick. You can email mpatrick@cdapress.com or leave a phone message at 208-664-0227.

Compared to many other states, Idaho’s property taxes are low, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t an unmanageable burden for some. Let's hear from you who have been displaced or fear that imminently. Your stories will help paint a more complete picture for budget decision makers.