IDAHO CITY -- Boise County is in the middle of trying to pay off a multi-million dollar settlement. But for a county that's strapped for cash, where's that money going to come from? If you ask one district judge, his answer is taxpayers.
Last week, U.S. District Court Judge B. Lynn Winmill ordered Boise County to pay their $5.4 million settlement to developer Oaas Laney.
A federal jury says the county violated the Fair Housing Act in 2007, when county commissioners denied the developer's plan to build a teen treatment center called Alamar Ranch near Idaho City.
The county made a payment of $1.2 million on Monday, and authorized another payment of $1.05 million later this year. But people living in a county, which failed earlier this year to file for bankruptcy, are unhappy they are footing the bill for a four-year-old decision by the county commissioners (only one of whom is still in office).
"This community is now in a pinch because of the commissioners making this decision, even going against their lawyers' advice," said Bonnie Hardey, President of the Idaho City Chamber of Commerce. "Now, we the taxpayers have to pay for it. Shame on them."
The tax burden of Hardey and other residents could be getting bigger. In order to pay the full settlement, Judge Winmill ordered Boise County to raise property taxes, even more than the 3 percent allowed by Idaho law. Hardey says she already saw a huge tax increase last year.
"They might need to raise more taxes, how how much more are you going to get?" asked Hardey.
She says residents are already going through hard times and can't afford a tax hike.
"The people who are already on a certain wage, where they're collecting disability or whatever, they have a set income," said Hardey. "When the rent goes up, I can see it becoming a true ghost town."
Boise County commissioners had no comment at this time but did say they'd release more information soon.
Meanwhile, the people of Boise County continue to pay for a teen center that was never built.
In the judge's order, Winmill seemed to be anticipating a showdown with the Idaho Tax Commission over the idea of raising taxes more than the 3 percent allowed under Idaho law, noting that some sort of judgment may be needed to satisfy them.
