Taxpayers split on CWI expansion bond

BOISE, Idaho This November,voters can expect to see a property tax hike on the ballot. It's to pay for a $180 million bond for the College of Western Idaho. The bond would pay for campus development in Boise and Nampa and expanding the school's programs.

This November,voters can expect to see a property tax hike on the ballot.

It's to pay for a $180 million bond for the College of Western Idaho.

The bond would pay for campus development in Boise and Nampa and expanding the school's programs.

If it passes, it will cost taxpayers in Canyon and Ada counties.

But will the voters embrace this idea come Election Day?

One Boise homeowner says he would absolutely be willing to pony-up the extra cash.

"A little more money for education, of course," said Keith Croner, a Boise homeowner and taxpayer.

Now, calling $180 million a little bit of money may not sound right, but when broken down by homeowner it only comes out to about $23 for every $100,000 your home's taxable value is, and that's for the entire year.

Of course this extra money would be added to taxes every year for 25 years, so it could add up to a pretty significant chunk of change.

One CWI graduate calls it an investment in Boise's economy.

"It's gonna take time but you'll have more educated people, which means you'll probably bring in a better labor force, which brings in new companies and more taxes," said Erik Anderson, who lives in Boise and graduated from CWI.

Not everyone is on board with the idea of paying for this expansion, saying there's already enough opportunities for higher education.

"I don't know, I just think we should have one university system instead of all these separate colleges," said Juanita Hepler, a Boise resident.

Others I spoke to, however, disagree. They say they would like to see as many colleges and universities in Boise as humanly possible.

"This is the center of power, it's where the economic center of the state is... I think the more education we have here the better," said Croner.

When the bond is voted on in November it will need a super majority to pass.

Simply put, two-thirds of voters need to vote yes for the bond to be issued.

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