CDA SCHOOL LEVY: Vote yes

At the end of 2022, the median home value in Kootenai County was just under $550,000. Using this value and subtracting $125,000 homeowner exemption, the median taxable value is $425,000. The current $20 million two-year levy is costing the homeowner $76.17 per $100,000 taxable value. That is about $323.66 a year or about $26.97 per month for a home assessed at that median value. This levy will expire on June 30.

The new levy proposed on the May 16 ballot is for $25 million a year for two years. This will cost $95.21 per $100,000 taxable value. This is about $404.64 a year or about $33.72 a month for a home assessed at $550,000 less with the homeowner exemption. This is about $6.75 more per month as compared with the levy that is expiring on June 30.

If the levy were to fail, then a property taxpayer with a home assessed at $550,000 would have a property tax bill of about $404 less at property tax time. But it would also mean the loss of hundreds of education related jobs and elimination of many education activities (music, art, sports, special education, dual enrollment, advanced placement classes, etc.) as have been frequently listed in these letters.

Every voting taxpayer will likely be asking this question: “Is supporting a new levy a value added investment?” or “Is failing the levy worth the trade-off in terms of what will be lost?”

While working three years at a local elementary school, I saw firsthand the love and skill that surround students every day so that each has the best chance to succeed. And I saw children’s joy and delight in discovering the magic of learning. I don’t think the trade-off is worth it; so I urge a yes vote on May 16.

WILLIAM GREEN

Coeur d’Alene