RATHDRUM, Idaho – Next week voters in Kootenai County will make a decision that’ll impact the future of the Rathdrum Prairie.
A $50 million open space bond will go before voters. It’s an effort to preserve open space on the prairie from development.
Kootenai County Commissioner Bruce Mattare says we need to preserve this beautiful acreage from additional growth.
“The idea or intent is to preserve open space because this community has grown so fast in the last few years and the space is getting gobbled up,” Commissioner Mattare said.
The prairie is home to many farmers, making a living, and it’s also home to many future developments.
“What’s important is that we can conserve and preserve the way of life here by mitigating density,” Commissioner Mattare said.
Commissioner Mattare is obviously in support of this bond. Opponents, though, are concerned about growing government and an increase in taxes.
“You’re either going to pay for it with more traffic, pay for it standing in longer lines, or pay a few dollars in your taxes to buy up the open space,” Commissioner Mattare said.
Right now if the bond is approved, residents would pay about $8 per $100,000 of assessed property value. Although you more than likely wouldn’t be paying immediately.
“We would raise the money when we find the land. So, there would be no money raised until we actually find the property,” Commissioner Mattare said.
Which could be this year, next year, or even five years down the road, and depending on the property, it wouldn’t be the full $50 million, according to Mattare.
The property would be available for public use. Parks and trail systems could be built.
Nov. 7 is the day that you can have your voices heard.
“This is a perfect opportunity for the citizens of Kootenai County to have a direct say in the trajectory of growth here,” Commissioner Mattare said.
In order for the bond to pass, it will need a two-thirds voter approval. Absentee ballots have already closed so you’ll have to vote in person next Tuesday.
