Mayor Lauren McLean
Boise, we hear you loud and clear about needing property tax relief. The City of Boise takes our role as stewards of the taxpayer very seriously. We know that property taxes are having a real impact on everyone and we’re working on creating meaningful relief.
Early in my days as Mayor, I proposed a two percent increase because I wanted the city to play a role in lessening the impact of rising costs of living in our community. But we are in uncharted territory. For that reason, I’m proposing zero increase in property taxes for the next fiscal year.
My staff has been hard at work making sure that we are able to provide relief to the public at this difficult time, protect our strong fiscal management, and invest for future recovery that our residents deserve. At next Tuesday’s Boise City Council meeting, we will present the proposal to take zero percent increase for Fiscal Year 2021. This move to a zero percent increase will result in a $3.2 million impact to the city’s budget.
It’s important in these unprecedented times to ease your property tax burden and find new ways to serve all residents as we create a 21st century city for everyone. And we know that our city’s budget plays a role. Along with residents, we are tightening our belts as we build the Fiscal Year 2021 budget, and future budgets. As we balance declining revenues and increased costs, we have a focus on funding vital community services like public safety, affordable housing and transportation, clean energy and innovation while continuing to make smart economic investments for the future.