Up to $200 million approved for new program to support public safety, pass savings onto property taxpayers

Statement

The Governor's Coronavirus Financial Advisory Committee (CFAC) approved today the allocation of up to $200 million for a new program that leverages federal coronavirus relief funds to cover local public safety personnel salaries and gives cities and counties the opportunity to pass on the savings to property taxpayers.

The move is expected to provide up to $200 million in property tax relief, or a 10-20-percent reduction in your property tax bill this year.

"Our focus is to support our communities and our police, fire, and EMS personnel and ensure there are no reductions in public safety during these unprecedented challenges. I appreciate the cities and counties working with us to ensure the resulting budget savings are given back to the people of Idaho in the form of property tax relief rather than backfilling local government budgets," Governor Little said.

Local governments must opt into the program by July 17, 2020, in order to participate.

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