What’s this about?
Some Rexburg citizens would like the city to build a recreation center. The city paid for a “feasibility study” and has released details and held meetings to promote the idea.
What’s the problem?
HERE ARE JUST SOME OF THE PROBLEMS WITH THIS PROPOSAL.
Taxation is (usually) theft
Whenever a new tax, bond, etc, is passed, every citizen is forced to pay it, whether or not they can afford it, and whether or not they will “benefit” from the proposed new facilities or services. This is enforced by the threat of imprisonment, fines, or loss of property.
Do you want a rec center so badly that you would have your neighbor thrown in jail or lose his home for his inability or refusal to pay for it?
“Since almost all of us are unable, afraid, or ashamed to use unrighteous force on one another directly, it is difficult to believe we manifest the disposition to do so in this manner. But when the reins of government are placed in our hands, most of those considerations which deter us are removed. The lack of ability is no longer a problem because the power of government is now at our disposal.
–H. Verlan Andersen
“We no longer are restrained by fear because we now have the police power on our side. And since we can usually quiet the voice of conscience by deceiving ourselves into believing that the Golden Rule does not apply to the actions of government, we can quite easily suppress this restraint. And finally we can undertake to exercise unrighteous dominion by doing nothing more inconvenient than voting or arguing for a bad law.”
Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.
–Jesus
The Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 7:12)
“But we have to have taxes!”
To be legitimate, taxes must be used to pay for actual necessities shared by the entire community, and not niceties that some citizens think would be fun. Unfortunately, Rexburg already has its share of things inappropriately funded with our tax dollars, including Rexburg Rapids, Kidsburg, and the recent dog parks.
“But it’s only $43/mo!”
According to the official documentation, the average single-family home value in Madison Country is approx. $300,000. The supposed cost would be $4.26 (per $100,000 of property value) for the new Madison County Recreation District (a new government entity that would be created to oversee the facilities and its activities) and $10 (per $100,000 of property value) for the facility itself. So, for a home with an “average taxable value” (their words) of $300,000, this comes to $12.78 + $30 = $42.78/mo, or $513.36/yr.
Of course, this does not include the proposed $40/mo residential monthly pass ($80 for non-residents) on top of these fees, if you want to actually use it.
For the few people who might use the facilities regularly, this might not seem like a bad deal. But for the many residents who will never use it, that’s quite an expense for nothing! Have you ever heard the phrase “nickeled and dimed to death?” What may not seem like a large amount to you might actually mean a lot to someone else!
Plus, when does theft stop being theft? Is it not theft anymore when it’s only $43 that you allow the government to take from your neighbor under duress each month?
The total costs, by the way, are estimated to be:
- $66.3 million for the facility
- $1.57 million every year for the Madison County Recreation District
This is just the starting estimates, of course. When you’re spending everyone else’s money, the skies the limit… until you run out of everyone else’s money.
When the people find that they can vote themselves money, that will herald the end of the republic.
–Benjamin Franklin
“But we neeeeeed a rec center!”
I need a new bicycle. Let’s pass a law so everyone else can pay for it! Then they can pay me a second time when they want to use it, just like the proposed rec center. Sound stupid? That’s because it is.
Need = necessity. There is very little, if anything, in this proposal that is not already available to the public. If someone needs something this proposed rec center would provide, they can already find it (or something like it) in the area, provided by private citizens, as is proper, or by the city:
Fitness facilities? We got ’em. Arts & Crafts? We got ’em. Youth sports? We got ’em. Swimming lessons? We’ve got those, too. Gymnasiums? We got ’em. An indoor track? Yep, we have one! Zumba facilities? Yes. Pickleball courts? They’re here!
Everything just mentioned is listed as a “high” or “medium” priority for this project in the official documentation. And we already have them.
Not only do we have them, but those businesses would hereafter be forced to subsidize (pay for) their competition!
“But those places are too expensive!”
If the business model cannot be sustained and maintained by the free market at rates that pay the bills, neither can it be sustained and maintained by the city without becoming an annual drain on your income.
Rexburg Rapids, for example, operates at a loss every year, according to councilwoman Tisha Flores. If a business like that had been economically feasible, someone would have done it already!
“But citizens asked for it! This is a democracy!”
It is sad that Americans have been miseducated to believe that, but no, we actually live in a Republic. The main difference being that in our Republic we have Biblical principles that protect our life, liberty, and property above the wishes of the public.
If our elected representatives understood the proper role of government – and the sacred nature of tax money – they would never entertain proposals such as this one.
Democracies… have ever been found incompatible with personal security or the rights of property…
–James Madison
“But rent prices keep going up!”
No one said that in regards to this proposal, but guess what? Any proposed tax increases due to this proposal will be passed directly on to the renter.
“But food prices keep going up!”
Food, clothes, gas… Same deal! Whenever costs rise for producers and providers, they can either choose to eat those losses, or make them up via the consumer, in the form of price increases. With the losses that businesses have already experienced due to the COVID debacle, there is little to no chance that they will feel inclined (or even have the ability!) to suffer further losses. It’s that simple. The government might like to pretend that money grows on trees, but it does not.
The government is not a producer
Of anything. Period. They are consumers of the public treasury. For this and other reasons, the government should not compete against private enterprise! They like to pretend that they can somehow make things work when others can’t, and you pay the price of their misguided attempts.
“But statistics!”
The official documentation for this proposal contains statistics that “prove” this will all work out, and that every business the government will compete with will miraculously turn a profit simply by this facility’s presence. (Yes, we were really told that at a recent meeting.) Have you ever heard the phrase, “statistics lie and liars use statistics“? You are a fool if you believe this is the exception.
Remember Rexburg Rapids, mentioned previously, that operates at a loss – at your expense – every year? Surely there was a similar feasibility study with similar statistics proving that it would all work out, too.
“But I want big city amenities!”
Yes, someone actually said, at a recent meeting, “I moved here from a big city and I miss all of the fancy things that were available there!” I’m sorry to disappoint you, but here are a few things to think about:
- Idahoans want to be free, and there is no greater form of slavery than taxation.
- Those governments never should have implemented those facilities, either, because it violates the proper role of government.
- Socialist societies have lots of “free” stuff, but Socialism is a violation of the US Constitution in every way. It is also a violation of Biblical laws.
- All that stuff is why cities are so expensive, which is part of why you left.
It’s not my responsibility to pay for your shiny object syndrome!
Taxation requires representation
Taxation is only just if the populace agrees to it, hence the memorable phrase “No taxation without representation!” This proposal would impose taxation without representation on many people who own property in Madison County but who would not be allowed to vote on it, since they live outside the county. This includes the owners of rental properties, businesses, and other facilities that would end up paying the majority of the proposed costs.
Your money, or your life?
You may not think about it much, but money is just a symbol. It represents the value that was put on a certain portion of your life. If, for instance, you made $6 an hour, every dollar you received would represent 10 minutes of your life.
The Founding Fathers understood this when they enshrined the protection of “life, liberty, and property” in the Constitution and Bill of Rights. This is why we mentioned earlier that tax funds are sacred funds. When you spend money – yours or someone else’s – you are literally designating what that person’s life was spent on. To waste my money is to waste my life.
Let’s focus on real needs
Like what? Well, if you’ve lived here long (or short) you may have noticed the roads…
Community Comments
I’m very concerned about this proposed new tax. Especially when Madison County Planning is starting to realize the issues of water and sewer needs in the future for coming growth.
K. R.
Facebook comment
Dear friends against Rexburg Rec Center,
Thank you for providing this web page and an opportunity to share ideas. I have a couple:
I am against Rexburg building a Rec Center, as are you.
The biggest thing that bothers me is taxation without representation. You are correct in saying that a democratic type of government is run by popular vote whereas a republic adheres to the law – whether or not it is popular. The city of Rexburg using the law of taxation to pay for something I don’t want is reprehensible.
I have resided just outside the Rexburg city limits since 2006 and have watched my property taxes increase over the years, often without my consent. I do not have a vote in any of the city elections, yet I know that my taxes as a Madison county resident will be impacted by a Rec Center. If one were to be built, I would likely be charged a higher price, as I am not a city resident. The Rexburg Rec Center would definitely not have my patronage !
Possible idea: (besides doing without)
When I lived in Provo as a student thirty years ago, I saw that Community Ed was a big thing. Schools that citizens ALREADY own or were paying for were the facilities that Utahans used rather than a specific building set aside solely for recreation. Contracts and liabilities were set in place between the city, county, and school district which protected the use of the schools and designated how funds were used. Schools are already equipped with gyms, exercise rooms, classrooms, and other various areas were used for Community Ed.
Affordable fees were in place as CE was not contingent on paying for the facility. Classes in such subjects as DIY home repairs, garden and land management, health related subjects, various art classes, and whatever else were administered by a small group. Sports use was also part of the curriculum. Some students in the BYU recreation major had income by teaching these classes. For instance, one man taught a class on tying fishing flies. The teachers received a percentage of what the class pupil’s tuition generated. Tuition was based on content and duration of the class. Class teachers were sometimes volunteers, teachers, businessmen, retired individuals, or anyone else who submitted an idea.
Fifteen years ago when I moved here, BYUI offered CE, which I took, but was soon discontinued. St. Anthony also offered some CE as well, which I believe is no longer available. Currently, CEI in Idaho Falls also offers community classes. Friends For Learning out of ISU has CE classes they offer to senior citizens. Maybe the City of Rexburg could study those programs to see how they are set up.
What I’m saying is, the City of Rexburg offers only a few classes that deal with the arts, which they teach in their own buildings. Improving on the idea to provide a much broader CE program that utilizes schools makes sense. Who knows how much use a new Facility would get, especially if the city is trying to recoup costs? The logic in financing a full-time building for part-time use is absurd. Using our schools, the MHS fieldhouse, Ricks Center near MJHS, makes better sense.
Furthermore, CE thinking brings our general public together:
• we teach and we learn from each other;
• contribute to the “America’s family community” atmosphere;
• garner ownership of the program and our public property;
• AND we avoid debt.
With revenue, the city of Rexburg or Madison School District can then “save up” for other projects and avoid imposing frequent bonds/levies. Community Ed initiates residents taking ownership when they know that by supporting CE they are voluntarily contributing to make our neighborhood a better place.
L. W.
I live in Rigby Idaho and I have been a resident of Idaho since 2015. Madison County Idaho is planning on a Recreation Center to be funded by property tax assuming that enough Madison county residents vote for it in May or November. I have inquired from the Recreation Center board if I could vote on this 68 million dollar project and she informed me that I could not since I live in Jefferson County. I informed her that was unconstitutional since the United States Constitution guarantees us a republican form of government and we fought the War Of Independence in part of taxation without representation. We manage and own 3 single family homes in Madison County and my tax bill per year just for the Rexburg Recreation Center if passed will be about $1500 and [if] I want to use the Rec Center, I will have to pay an out of County fee. Besides this taxation we do not get the home owners exemption and pay about twice as much in property tax. In 2022 we paid over $5000 on just one house in Madison County. The property tax is out of control!!!! This taxation is not the proper role of government, they are competing with private enterprise besides the unconstitutionally of it. Would you please inform the officials that this is wrong and they can not pursue this project?
T. G.
email to Attorney General Raul Labrador
Thank you for putting up this website and listing the disadvantages of the Recreation district. We were in the county more than 20 years ago when they tried twice to pass the same scheme to get more taxes for recreation that not all county residents will even use. Not everyone has just one home and gets the tax exemption. Owners of multiple dwellings, like apartment owners, in the county will get hit hard. They will pay extra for each apartment. Seems like those who support the Rec district are out of touch with reality. Do we really want higher property taxes along with the already high price of gas, food and rent? By the time they actually get the money to build, how much will the 68 million price tag have increased? This is insanity!
G.J & T. J.
Does Rexburg want another Recreation center and pool for $70,000,000 dollars?
What do you tell the free market businesses? We have many designed to give families fun activities and a place to go have fun.
Trampolines and pickle ball courts and basket ball courts, base ball fields are all over Rexburg. These activity centers pay for their building, they paid to build it.. they pay to maintain it and clean it . They hire the people to run it. I know one that pays $9000 a year for property tax in Madison County for the opportunity to have the business. Now you want another similar government establishment that may put them out of business?
Swimming pools include the Rexburg Rapids pool. The Pirates and Mermaid indoor pool by bear world. Bear World is doing a great job with activities and playgrounds and wildlife display and petting zoo. Oh, and Rexburg has 10 parks covering 86 acres already. Playing fields for all types of sports.
Play ground equipment at most parks. A bike park. A skateboard park. Water parks, nature park. Twin Bridges Park. Beaver Dick Park. Fishing, camping fire pits, playground equipment , Frisby golf. Two golf courses. The list is long of fun activity sites. I could go on and on.
What kids need is a parent who can take the time to go with them to these places and show them ,how to have fun doing sledding or building a snowman. Kids need your time more than an expensive Rec Center.
We had an indoor pool and exercise club in Rexburg just south of Key Bank. They went bankrupt just 8 years ago. The building and swimming pool was offered to the city, which said we want nothing to do with an indoor swimming pool. It costs way too much to operate in the winter at below freezing temperatures. That building was turned into apartments, and the pool was filled in and made into two apartments. Plus, we have Green Canyon natural hot springs pools, near by. Hiese Hot Springs is close by with hot pools with an outdoor pool. Lava hot springs have indoor pools, big outside pools, and multiple hot pools.
I could tell you of more, but you get my point.
DENNIS
Steven Adams, Sugar City mayor. Feb. 15, 2023. (Source: Facebook)
Darren Klingler, concerned citizen and business owner, Mar. 9, 2023.
Josh Andersen, co-owner of Gravity Factory, Mar. 9, 2023.
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