Emergency Services Supervisor, Ann Wilson, reports that the City has received an $90,900 grant from Idaho State EMS for a new ambulance!  Since the cost of a fully equipped vehicle is now running $110,000+, there will have to be local funds raised for the added equipment.  Thanks to our generous community through previous donations, memorial contributions and the proceeds from the Patsy & Fritz “can operation”, the Riggins Ambulance Replacement Fund now totals $9500, so we already have a good start on the fund raising efforts!

Our community is very fortunate to have received the grant funding, which will make it possible to obtain the much needed vehicle.  It is anticipated that our new ambulance can be purchased as early as October!  

Ann also reports that a Basic EMT class is being planned for the late fall.  If you are interested in taking the course, or know someone who is, please contact her at the City Hall 628-3394.  We are desperately searching for new volunteers for the ambulance service.  Please consider joining our team…your community needs you!!

THE GOOD NEWS…..AND THE NOT-SO-GOOD NEWS

The City’s 2006-2007 budget was recently passed, which included many community projects.  The good news is that there is no city property tax increase planned.  The tax budget was the same as last year, only increased for new construction.   Most of the major city projects included in the budget are anticipated to be grant funded, and the Mayor and Council are determined to do their part in controlling the increasing tax burden on city property owners.

However, there were some fee increases approved. Effective October 1, the monthly sewer fees will increase from $17 per EU to $20, and the annual irrigation fees increased to $37.50 per lot and $45 per acre.  The ambulance base rate was also increased to $300 City, $400 Area, and $500 Out-of-Area, and the mileage rate increased to $6.05 per patient mile.  The fee increases were necessary to fund the increasing cost of operation in these departments.

RIGGINS IS NOW OFFICIALLY A RESORT CITY!

Riggins has been officially declared to be an Idaho Resort City, which is defined as a community, with less than 10,000 population, that derives the major portion of their economy from recreation activities and travelers that are coming to the community as a destination.  That certainly defines RIGGINS!

With this official designation, the City, with 60% voter approval, is authorized to collect local option, NON PROPERTY, tax.  The tax, similar to Idaho’s sales and hotel-motel tax, can be applied to the City’s lodging sales, liquor-by-the-drink, and retail sales.

The City Council is proposing a 4% tax on city lodging sales (motels and campgrounds) and a 2% tax on liquor-by-the-drink and meals sales (restaurants and bars).  Preliminary estimates of the tax revenue generated from these sales, according to the City’s recent Economic Strategy Study, may total over $70,000 per year. The tax would be added on to the price of the motel, drink, or meal, by the business (like sales tax) and remitted to the City. If approved by the voters, this revenue would be earmarked for the City’s infrastructure projects, such as sewer and water. The tax revenue, which would be paid primarily by the visitors to our community, could be a substantial savings to the city residents in funding major repairs and upgrades to the city utility systems. The local option tax is currently being used by cities like McCall, Sun Valley and Ketchum, who are also being impacted by large numbers of tourists and visitors.

A special election is being planned for November, to put the request for approval on the ballot for city voters.  There are public meetings being planned to present the proposal to the community, and you are welcome to contact the City Hall or the Mayor and Council for more information.

We know everyone hates taxes, but this tax would be paid, primarily, by visitors to our community, and not city residents.  Increasing tourism is putting a strain on the City’s water and sewer system, and the local-option tax is an excellent way to fund the major repair and upgrades that will soon be necessary.  The Mayor and Council see the local-option tax as an excellent way to shift a portion of the financial burden from city residents to the visitors and tourists, who are impacting our city water and sewer systems.

The local-option tax law also requires that any tax revenue collected in excess of the amount budgeted, must be used for property tax relief.  So, if sales are higher than expected, the City’s property tax levy will be reduced by the amount of the excess tax revenue collected! 

LOCAL-OPTION TAX IS A WIN-WIN situation for city residents!

The Mayor and Council are aggressively pursuing ways to ease the financial burden for city residents, and this proposal is an excellent option for your consideration.

   2006 Riggins Recreation  department Raffle Winners

Blevins Agency                           Coleman Cooler                         Jeannie Thomas

Canyon Jan’s                              $20.00 Gift Certificate                 Shaun Bass

Canyon Lites Candle                   Candle Gift Basket                      Mary Cocus

Chips Windshield Repair               A rock chip repair                      Ray Sterger

Current                                      1 – 2 unit ad                             Joaquin Lowe

Epley’s Whitewater Adv.              ˝ day raft trip for 2                             Terrie Helmich

T&J’s Espresso                           $20.00 Gift Certificate                 Jay Balch

Exodus                                      ˝ day raft trip for 2                             Jay Balch

Frank’s Photos                            Picture of Riggins                       Spike Dorf

Frontier                                     Telephone                                 Kort Bennett

Grangeville Country Club             18 holes of golf & cart                Jody Gordon

Grangeville Country Club             18 holes of golf & cart                Joaquin Lowe

Hook, Line & Sinker                    Scooby-Doo Fishing Kit               Mark Kurrick 

Les Schwab in Grangeville           Vehicle window sun shade           Shaun Bass

Les Schwab in Grangeville           Vehicle window sun shade           Tom Fliss              

Main Street Hair                         Haircut & Style                           Margaret Gortsema

Meadow Creek Golf Resort           2 Green Fees & Cart                    Terrie Helmich

Northwest Voyageurs                  1 Night Stay Gift Basket               Rachel Diaz  

Pinehurst Resort Cottages            1 Night Stay Gift Basket               Diane Balch

Salmon River Motel                     1 Night Stay Gift Basket               Rachel Diaz

Salmon Rapids Lodge                 1 Night Stay Gift Basket               Richard Shadduck

Riverview Motel                          1 Night Stay Gift Basket              Donnie Clay

Jack & SueAnn Gruell                 5 Bottles Wine                            (In Motel  Baskets)

Pinehurst Trading Post                $10.00 gift certificate                  Michael Woodfin

Pioneer Enterprises                     Scene It?  DVD Game                 John Wolford

River Adventures                        T-shirt                                                Margie Gortsema

River Adventures                        T-shirt                                                Jeannie Thomas

Riggins Chevron                         $20.00 Gas                                Christine Wolfe      

Salmon River Inn                       $10.00 Gift Certificate                 Richard Shadduck

Wild Mountain Berries                 Jams/Syrup/Pie Filling                 Helen Dixon

Raffle Ticket Sales:            1^st Place    Katreena Ruark

                                      2^nd Place   James Boggan

  OUR APPRECIATION TO ALL OF OUR GENEROUS SPONSORS AND EVERYONE THAT SUPPLORTED THE RAFFLE.    THANK YOU!

2006 RECREATION DEPARTMENT GOLF SCRAMBLE

1^st Place ~ Russ Anderson ~ Ralph Bass ~ Shaun Bass ~ Roger McClure

2^nd Place~ Marty Clay ~ Robert Crump ~ Ken Gortsema ~ Margie Gortsema

3^rd Place~ Suzanne Sterger ~ Terrie Helmich ~ Scotty Owens ~ Eddie Zolman

Longest Drive:            Glenna McClure ~ Ken Gortsema

Closest to the Pin:           Margie Gortsema ~ Harvey Whitten

                              THE PLAYERS!

Jay & Diane Balch                       Eddie Zolman                 Joe Merabelle                Mark & Suzanne Kurrick

Spike & Peggy Dorf                     Randy Brown                 Roger McClure               Andy & Linda McNabb

Kim & Terri Helmich                   Scott Owens                  Carolyn Friend               Kraig & Ben Schlottman

Ken & Marge Gortsema               Jeannie Thomas             Joaquin Lowe                 Harvey & June Whitten

Ralph & Shaun Bass                   Tom Fliss                      John Wolford                 Russ Anderson

Marty & Donnie Clay                   Robert Crump                Doug Crump                  Charlene Workman

Al & Cheryl Bolden                      Alan Knight                    Glenna McClure              Ray & Suzann Sterger

Bryan & Pat Cash                       Laura Randolph              George Ricks                  Deanne Ricks

1^st ~ 2^nd ~ 3^rd ~ Place Prize Sponsors

            Tonya Ormsby                                       ~         4  Engraved Wine Glasses

Seven Devils Steakhouse             ~          2 $25 Gift Certificates

            JC’s River Grill                                        ~          1  $25 Gift Certificate

            Back Eddy Grill                                       ~          1  $25 Gift Certificate

            Summerville’s                                        ~          2  $20 Gift Certificates

            Rodeo Club                                            ~          2  $20 Gift Certificates

            Whitten’s                                               ~          4  Golf Cupholders

This Old House Restaurant                      ~          2  $10 Gift Certificates

Cattlemen’s                                           ~          2  $10 Gift Certificates

Golf Hole Sponsors  ~  $25.00                                    Tournament Lunch Sponsors

            Heath Realty                                                      Salmon River Experience ~   $ 50

            Mountain Lakes Realty                                        Cloningers Food City       ~   $100

            Northwest Insurance Agency                               Riggins One Stop  ~ Sandwich Discount

            Primeland (4 sponsorships)                                 Harvey & June Whitten   ~    Salads

            Riggins One Stop                                                Doug & Sharon Boggan  ~     Salad

            Salmon River Realty

            Shepherd Log Homes

            Sterling Savings Bank

            Summerville’s American Bar

            Tucker Construction

WE HAD A RECORD TUROUT FOR THE GOLF TOURNAMENT THIS YEAR AND WOULD LIKE TO THANK ALL OF OUR GENEROUS SPONSORS AND PLAYERS.  SPECIAL THANKS ALSO TO SHARON BOGGAN FOR HER HARD WORK PUTTING THIS TOURNAMENT TOGETHER, ALSO TO JENNA BOGGAN, CAROLYN FRIEND, MARTY CLAY, JEANNIE THOMAS, JUNE AND HARVEY WHITTEN FOR THEIR HELP AT THE GOLF COURSE.  WE APPRECIATE THE OUTSTANDING SUPPORT SHOWN FOR THIS EVENT AND ALL THE RECREATION DEPARTMENT ACTIVITIES!  THE PROGRAM WOULD NOT BE POSSIBLE WITHOUT YOU!       THANK YOU!