The Courier
News
News from the Heart of Idaho Camas • Lincoln • Gooding
September 25, 2019
Vol 43 Num 39
Fairfield Tourist Caboose Get A Facelift Wendell School Board Rejects
Emergency Levy
This past week, the Caboose Committee went to work to remove the crumbling numbers and letters from the Tourist Due to an increase in Average Daily Attendance (ADA), Information Caboose in Fairfield. They are preparing for the painting of the caboose to take place next week. the Wendell School District qualified for an “Emergency This is a sizable expense for the organization and will leave Levy” in the amount of $102,391 for the 2019-2020 them with nothing in the bank account for next year’s expenses. school year. Because of this, They are seeking donations to cover the cost: In 2014, the Wendell school district accepted an emer$2,000 to paint, $300 to get new numbers and letters made, gency levy in the amount of $124,150. However, in 2016 and and another $200 to paint and replace letters on the sign. again in 2018, the voters approved a two year $1.2 million If you would like to donate, contact a committee member: supplemental levy ($600k per year). In May of next year, Pam Berndt, Lorrie Brand, Diane McFerran, Nancy Dettori, the district will ask voters to again approve that amount. Marilyn Amen, Mike Because of the existing supplemental levy, the Wendell Gill or Shari Simon. School Board decided not to add the additional tax burden If you can help, make to the residents of the district. checks to Caboose Tourist Information Center, P.O. Most people have likely never heard of an emergency levy Box 403, Fairfield, ID 83327. because it does not require a vote of district residents. A school The caboose promotes Fairfield, Camas County and board can simply decide to accept the levy, or not. Since this Idaho by displaying information from local businesses, levy is based on ADA, it is rare for a small district to qualify. selling items from local artisans, giving out free maps and Large school districts like Ada and Canyon counties (or other a smile to all who stop by. areas of the state that have experienced high population growth) take this extra tax money almost every year. Because an emergency levy does not require the approval of by Jan Gooding the voters, the residents of such districts can be upset when school boards take this additional revenue. The Bonneville A common question to the Gooding Chamber of Commerce is School District recently approved $2 million emergency “What do you do as an organization of Gooding?” The Gooding levy. The problem is that just one day before, the voters had Chamber of Commerce exists to promote Gooding businesses doing rejected a $42 million bond. To the opponents of that bond business in Gooding. The Gooding Chamber is all about making proposal, the acceptance of the emergency levy was a “slap Gooding a wonderful place to do business and in the face” of the voters. live. Every year the Chamber partners with the The School Emergency Fund Levy (Idaho Code 33-805) FFA and barrels of flowers are rolled out and has been around since the 1960s to help school districts deal placed in front of businesses from spring to fall. with the cost of unexpected growth in student population. In The FFA members earn money from the chamber and the members are up and coming businessmen and women that will theory, this extra tax burden should be offset by the growth in homes and businesses that result from people moving soon be adults and a part of the Gooding community in many ways. This year the Chamber won a grant from “Operation Facelift” and with into a particular community. matching funds purchased banners that are placed on Main Street from While taking this extra revenue can be helpful, many exNorth Canyon Medical Center to the railroad tracks. The Chamber is a perts believe the over dependence on such funding (supplevolunteer organization that is always looking for new members who are mental and/or emergency levies) is an unstable way of paying for ever increasing cost of education. interested in promoting doing business in Gooding.
Your Gooding Chamber of Commerce in Action!