In a recent Pocatello City Council meeting, Taylor Conrad appealed the denial of her solicitor license, which was rejected by the Pocatello Police Department due to her felony drug convictions. Conrad, who has been working as a canvasser for Dibella for four months, explained that her application was denied based on city code that prohibits individuals with felony convictions related to controlled substances from obtaining a license within five years of their conviction.

Conrad, 25, shared her journey of rehabilitation following her convictions for felony possession and delivery of methamphetamine in 2021 and 2022. She has been out of prison for six months and is currently on lower supervision, having demonstrated good behavior and compliance with her parole requirements. She expressed her commitment to maintaining her sobriety and improving her life, citing participation in relapse prevention programs during her incarceration.

Mallory Bascom from the Pocatello Police Department clarified that the city code mandates a five-year waiting period from the date of conviction before reapplying for a solicitor license. This means Conrad would not be eligible to reapply until 2027.

During the council's deliberation, members acknowledged the difficulty of the decision, weighing Conrad's past against her current efforts to reform. Councilman Cheatham ultimately moved to deny the appeal, emphasizing the importance of allowing Conrad time to further establish her stability before reapplying. The motion was supported by a majority of the council, with some members expressing hope for her continued progress.

The meeting also included a discussion regarding another appeal for a daycare employee license, indicating ongoing scrutiny of licensing practices in Pocatello.