Endorsement: Should Boise taxpayers pay for more open space? | Opinion
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November 2025 endorsements
Here are the Idaho Statesman’s endorsements in key city races in the Treasure Valley.
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Over the past 25 years, Boise taxpayers have funded the purchase and preservation of more than 12,000 acres of open space, including such popular hiking and biking trails through the Hulls Gulch Reserve, Military Reserve, Polecat Gulch, Stack Rock and Hawkins Reserve.
These places are enjoyed by everyone from around the Treasure Valley, and preservation of this open space has ensured that it’s protected from development. Imagine what the Boise Foothills would look like today with a few thousand more homes sitting on them.
Boise just wouldn’t be the same without protection of this land. It’s one of the things that makes Boise a great place to live.
In addition to the land purchases, Boise taxpayers have funded dozens of preservation and improvement projects, such as Boise River habitat improvements, Greenbelt improvements, pathway connections and trailhead development.
Boise taxpayers have done all of this through two special levies, the first in 2001 and the second in 2015. Both passed with overwhelming support from taxpayers — 59% in 2001 and 74% in 2015.
And now the time has come to ask Boise taxpayers once again for another levy, this time $11 million for the next round of open space preservation.
We encourage Boise voters to step up and approve this next round of funding.
The Idaho Statesman editorial board endorses passage of the Boise open space and clean water levy on the November ballot.
The long laundry list of amenities preserved by the past two levies shows what a tremendous value these levies have brought, not only in terms of places to hike and bike, but in terms of monetary value alone.
According to estimates from the city of Boise, $15 million of levy funds over the past 20 years has purchased properties that today have a value of about $43 million. Not a bad return on investment.
But the real value of protected open space is priceless.
The projects and the land to be preserved with the next round of money is yet to be determined, but if past performance is an indication of future results, we’re confident in the future.
These aren’t just pet projects. They’re guided by the city’s Open Space and Clean Water Advisory Committee that was established with the 2015 levy. The committee vets projects and brings them to the mayor and council. Its meetings are open to the public, streamed and recorded, and its agendas are published ahead of time. We have confidence in the process to screen and approve future projects.
The estimated average annual cost of the proposed levy is $10 per $100,000 of taxable assessed value per year. That’s about $40 per year for an owner of a $550,000 house.
We recognize everyone is asking for a little more money, from the city of Boise to the school district and Idaho Power, and it all adds up.
But the open space levy money will be collected for just two years, in 2026 and 2027. And a little bit of money for two years will go a long way into the future.
And we encourage those who qualify to take full advantage of the circuit breaker program offered by the state and the city of Boise’s property tax rebate program to receive breaks on their property taxes.
The decisions we make today will make us the city we’ll be 50 years from now. The open space and clean water levy lays the groundwork to becoming a world-class city that will rival any big city in the country.
From the Greenbelt to the Foothills and all the parks and pathways in between, Boise is becoming that world-class city. But it takes money and voter support to make it happen.
We get the city we deserve. Let’s keep it going.
Statesman editorials are the opinion of the Idaho Statesman’s editorial board. Board members are opinion editor Scott McIntosh, opinion writer Bryan Clark, editor Chadd Cripe, newsroom editors Dana Oland and Jim Keyser and community members John Hess, Debbie McCormick and Julie Yamamoto.
This story was originally published October 17, 2025 at 4:00 AM.
BEHIND THE STORY
MOREHow we write endorsements
Who decides the endorsements?
Members of Idaho Statesman editorial board interview political candidates, as well as advocates and opponents of ballot measures. The editorial board is composed of journalists and community members. Members of the Statesman editorial board are: Statesman editor Chadd Cripe, opinion editor Scott McIntosh, opinion writer Bryan Clark, newsroom editors Dana Oland and Jim Keyser and community members John Hess, Debbie McCormick and Julie Yamamoto.
What does the endorsement process entail?
The Statesman editorial board meets with political candidates and asks them a series of questions about policy issues. The editorial board discusses the candidates in each race. Board members seek to reach a consensus on the endorsements, but not every decision is unanimous. The editorial board generally will not endorse a candidate who does not agree to an interview with the board members.
Is the editorial board partisan?
No. In making endorsements, members of the editorial board consider which candidates are well-prepared to represent their constituents — not whether they belong to a particular political party. We evaluate candidates’ relevant experience, their readiness for office, their depth of knowledge of key issues and their understanding of public policy. We’re seeking candidates who are thoughtful and who offer more than just party-line talking points. The editorial board will endorse both Republicans and Democrats. We make recommendations about who the best-qualified candidates for these jobs are.
Why are endorsements unsigned?
Endorsements reflect the collective views of the Statesman’s editorial board — not just the opinion of one writer. Board members all discuss and contribute ideas to each endorsement editorial.
Do I have to vote for the candidate the Statesman endorses?
Of course not. An endorsement is just our recommendation based on the candidates’ backgrounds and their answers to editorial board questions.
Can I disagree with the Statesman’s endorsement?
Of course you can. We encourage voters to do their own research and choose the candidate who best represents your views.
Want your say?
Readers are encouraged to express their thoughts by submitting a letter to the editor. Click on “Submit a letter or opinion” at idahostatesman.com/opinion.
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