Boise forgets to collect $5M levy OK'd by voters

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — The city of Boise didn't collect $5 million of property tax money it was supposed to raise this year for open space and water quality protection because its budget department didn't tell Ada County to assess a levy voters passed in 2015.

The city recently discovered the mistake when its budget specialists met with Ada County's tax experts to go over next year's budget.

The error can't be fixed through administrative procedures, said Jade Riley, Mayor Dave Bieter's chief of staff. Voters passed the levy, which specified that it would be assessed in 2017 and 2018. So only voters can change the details, city staffers concluded.

"We made a mistake," Riley said. "We want to be transparent with the voters.