STAR, Idaho — The city of Star has grown rapidly. Over the last two decades, the dual-county city has grown from a small community of 500 residents to one of Idaho's fastest-growing cities with more than 22,000 people.
At a state of the city address Tuesday night, Mayor Trevor Chadwick said moving forward, the city is working to balance residential growth with commercial development. He said inviting more businesses to the area will help keep property taxes low.
"Getting commercial business in here helps us a lot, in many ways. Property taxes is one. I[t] provides local services and it provides jobs , for many of the locals in our area," said Mayor Trevor Chadwick.
The city currently maintains the lowest property tax rate in the Treasure Valley at $52 per $100,000 of assessed value.
Meanwhile, Star's rapid population boom has strained school capacity. The mayor highlighted that 3 out of 4 schools in the West Ada School District are operating over capacity.
But relief is coming. As Idaho News 6 has reported, the city and the West Ada School District broke ground on Independence Elementary School in July. The school will accommodate 700 students once it's completed. The project is funded entirely by state dollars.
RELATED: Groundbreaking of new Star school will help keep neighborhood students in their community
Additionally, another new elementary school is planned for the Middleton School District, where 4 out of 5 schools are operating over capacity.
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