[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100,112],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6528350,"mediaKeyId","3408748-af654c8fdd344fa4c57badddca5bb88d","parentId",3408748,"title","City details Pathways plan, favors concrete corridors for long‑term maintenance; 10‑year need estimated at $32.5 million","audioSeconds",916,"startMs",5737000,"endMs",6653000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3408748-af654c8fdd344fa4c57badddca5bb88d&start=5737&end=6653","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3408748-af654c8fdd344fa4c57badddca5bb88d/thumbnail_5737000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6528350/Idaho/City-details-Pathways-plan-favors-concrete-corridors-for-longterm-maintenance-10year-need-estimated-at-325-million","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6528350-4b548752844348820da8937f9844b82e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770997479&Signature=i7nhNE099KsQlpiIJ69eV3YhododM8KsrUF4YcfTqqNcTWGL8zC8kN2atbHXEK4vm92pP8ltHjdIJKxkZNaalrsHxJOQud675BRsaPhflsOjgk~ibHfXJIFGnriddKKaScVi8kP2sOUahSQqzohGGyrmaQ9wdfgdeiOuMluuCfyABbus1hMZjt7ywChVThnodqfAjTR7q9ZYMvQ~0htJd1eds8SvuJfEh4c4UFbVUVIvxZMBQ~JagAse1C5aDpjeOMGw-umic-4Vxw~oS3PvggcAOuGGX9dG3Y8J-yyxCMQ6bn~M6Dk7ldcre7nARB2TKB1UEv-4ktcTb3jTGgD5bg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Boise","date","2025-05-20T17:57:46.087Z","article","Planning and Parks staff described the city’s Pathways program and a 10‑year plan to expand walking and biking connections across Boise. Hannah Brasker (interim director, Planning and Development Services) and Parks staff said federal commuter grants — a competitive funding source — typically require concrete surfaces, a factor that strongly influences material choices and grant competitiveness.

Project scope and funding: Staff reported existing funding buckets that include a recurring local allocation (staff said FY2026–FY2029 would assume $300,000 annually) and federal awards. Hannah said current federal awards total about $8.1 million for three projects and that the city anticipates roughly $4.1 million in additional federal funds tied to awarded projects and scope increases. The 10‑year program need for completing priority pathways was estimated at about $32.5 million.

Concrete vs. gravel: Staff presented a cost‑and‑maintenance comparison: concrete was cited at about $1.1 million per mile with a useful life of 25–30 years and annual maintenance roughly $10,000 per mile; gravel/\"brindal\" was cited at roughly $120,000 per mile but a useful life of 1–5 years and annual maintenance near $40,000 per mile and more labor‑intensive upkeep. Parks staff said concrete pathways fit within current maintenance capacity more easily than gravel, which would require added staffing.

Access, timing and prioritization: Staff explained long lead times for pathway construction, driven by access negotiations (easements or acquisitions), neighborhood engagement and design. She said projects now timed for completion include the Boise City Canal pathway this fall and others staggered across 2026–2029. Staff described a prioritization approach that balances funding eligibility, access availability and neighborhood need.

10‑year metrics and goals: The Pathways plan aims to add 17.4 miles of pathways and increase the share of residents within a 10‑minute walk of a pathway from 10% to 46%. Hannah said the 10‑year program need is $32.5 million.

Ending: Council members pressed staff on funding options and long‑term sustainable revenue (one councilmember asked staff to model a \"mile‑a‑year\" general‑fund commitment). Staff said they will return with strategic funding scenarios and additional material (asphalt vs. concrete analyses and cost tradeoffs) in later materials.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Boise City Council - Budget Workshop","oneSentenceSummary","Planning and Parks staff said the city’s Pathways program aims to add 17.4 miles of pathways over 10 years, with an estimated capital need of $32.5 million and a preference for concrete surfaces when pursuing federal commuter grants.","taxTitle","Boise City, Boise, Ada County, Idaho","taxId",8706,"location","Idaho","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6528355,"Boise proposes increased capital transfers, draws on facility reserve to fund pools, parks and major repairs",2777,4984000,7761000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3408748-af654c8fdd344fa4c57badddca5bb88d&start=4984&end=7761","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3408748-af654c8fdd344fa4c57badddca5bb88d/thumbnail_4984000.jpg","/articles/6528355/Idaho/Boise-proposes-increased-capital-transfers-draws-on-facility-reserve-to-fund-pools-parks-and-major-repairs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6528355-691cb747e5eb851caba97767bc1cd256/orig.mp4?Expires=1770997480&Signature=E~86dVeEmb-MmcgjdTmzuSKdjFIuv1RZavckRgwPa3uZ0gnWDYevhRtmnw8-X215UUc-Kj2bpIaxnUcL7pKFjGPbFWs8uScyGxtssVT0a0LuT2ueaGS6H5DKhxoed-IP-XFVwLxPKhKWNK0zbEvuaKN4LXhWGjXnKYcuAwUlw~merKItFrYrtgHSaO0fXXNGSzUghs4scFFQBlURCtuuzL-h7M5x-fRTw9-dXvNHxQ9z1Ovtqfcl8oRLEvEqhrUHA2PjjPXZOIRALhVM4JOJ~j7HDQx8aRs~L2QQQ5YVw6zzy3NpiAS2ZuSYSf41ICoe3QwKdP5zDyw5m5lDKAUEsA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City staff told the Boise City Council that FY2026 will require increased capital transfers and use of the facilities reserve to address major repairs, rising construction costs and a string of identified projects. The recommendation includes a one‑time capital transfer increase of $2.2 million and assumes some use of the facility reserve carried in the capital fund.

Facility reserve and capital balancing: Alicia explained that the capital fund’s buying power has declined with inflation and that the city has used substantial portions of the facilities reserve to respond to unplanned needs (Union Block remediation, A Street mobility, pool costs and other escalations). She said the proposed capital transfer increase and foregone recovery will help, but that the transfer will effectively exhaust the facilities reserve once planned FY2026 projects are funded given current cost trajectories.

Pools and major projects: Staff provided an update on Whitney Pool and Lowell Pool. Doug and staff said the Whitney Pool project now has a committed construction budget of about $9.5 million and that, if council approves the combined funding package described in the workshop, approximately $10.5 million would remain available for Lowell Pool work; staff cautioned the Lowell project cost remains uncertain without a final design team and scope. Other capital highlights cited for FY2026 include Eighth Street, Alta Harris Park green-up, Liberty Park playground, Whitney Pool, Boise Depot work, Annex Garage seismic/repairs and increased major repairs and maintenance budgets.

Capital plan priorities and tradeoffs: Staff said the FY2026 capital plan gives priority to major repairs and maintenance, equipment replacement (including EV transition), and a smaller set of strategic community assets rather than a broad expansion of new projects. The FY26 recommendation includes several targeted investments and asked the council to consider bonds or levies for large, isolated projects in future years.

Ending: Staff promised a fuller 5‑year capital program package at the June materials release; Council members asked for project-specific cost breakdowns so they could evaluate use of reserves vs. alternative financing.","Staff told council the FY2026 recommendation boosts the transfer to the capital fund, draws on the city’s facility reserve and identifies specific projects (Whitney Pool, possible Lowell pool funding, Annex Garage, Eighth Street) to address aging assets and rising construction costs.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6528360,"Boise budget workshop: staff propose 16 new positions, 2.6% base pay increase as PERSI costs rise",3777,429000,4206000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3408748-af654c8fdd344fa4c57badddca5bb88d&start=429&end=4206","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3408748-af654c8fdd344fa4c57badddca5bb88d/thumbnail_429000.jpg","/articles/6528360/Idaho/Boise-budget-workshop-staff-propose-16-new-positions-26-base-pay-increase-as-PERSI-costs-rise","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6528360-015e457ddc4edf6add4dda126a3a78b7/orig.mp4?Expires=1770997480&Signature=VecGwJWtqahdLWUd7dTnJZlxM9N~JKMgBksHTEGYeW8oKbCDOTxvbNGChrBzwn8Gc63exSRnmKbOj1tCa7pX61DueWz6WKRKYNiiZtpN~125tp5eKFa1ii6Q0W8lzvbkvjfgvekWa27cwf3KqmuY2mSlW20yU-8S01cMF9bFPlmX49vbo-Ee3UC5E9JzTtRzZRMVbK~HhMPwIP4JDDm1jG59DLfsY5Ndb4MTdybfEPy86u8vwXEGGD7TKEL4p~-4w1oGnWd3szvftt7XanFI4pNU2EgqtlBMbUJME9Z2K8v2bfF6xLO4oHvDJZ1DOjpGvcZdy5-TvlLZteYvO6EIxA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City staff told the Boise City Council at a budget workshop that the FY2026 recommendation includes 16 new general-fund positions and a proposed 2.6% base pay increase for employees, while flagging big cost pressure from the Public Employee Retirement System of Idaho (PERSI).

Courtney Washburn, the city’s chief of staff, and Eric, who led the budget presentation, said the 16 positions are the fewest proposed in a decade (excepting 2021) and include six additional police officers, an ERP (enterprise resource planning) support team, forestry hires and other roles. Courtney said some positions were previously budgeted and are now coming online and that 2.3 existing housing positions will move to the general fund because of federal grant accounting changes.

Compensation and forecast: Staff proposed a 2.6% base increase this year, paired with a lowered long-term annual forecast (from 3% to 2.5%) for ongoing planning. \"Our goals were to retain top talent, stay aligned with the market, reduce growth to promote long term financial health and safeguard the workforce stabilization process,\" Courtney said. Staff said performance pay and \"flex rewards\" remain part of total compensation. Eric and HR staff told council the 2.6% figure reflects current market rates across the state and likely the region.

PERSI pressure: Alicia and other finance staff outlined expected PERSI employer contribution changes: staff cited a rise for general employees from about 11.96% to 13.53% (FY26), with a projected rise to about 15.87% by a later year; public-safety rates were cited rising from about 14.65% to 17.62%. Alicia said those signalings from PERSI could mean cumulative, multi‑year cost increases measured in millions of dollars and that the city does not control PERSI rates.

Staffing specifics and risk tradeoffs: The budget includes four ERP-support positions (staff said they will return in the second workshop with a fuller justification and project plan). On forestry positions, staff told the council they analyzed contractor versus in-house options and concluded it is cheaper to hire two full‑time staff to perform required periodic inspections (trees are required to be inspected every eight years) given long-term costs and PERSI-related benefit loadings.

What council asked for: Council members requested more detail on the ERP positions' roles and costs, historical comparisons for health‑insurance contributions, and market comparisons between public and private compensation. Staff said they will provide those details at the next workshop and the budget book and that the multi‑year forecast can be revisited annually.

Ending: Staff presented the personnel package as calibrated to stabilize the workforce while preserving flexibility; several council members stressed yearly reevaluation and asked for more supporting data before final decisions.","City staff told the council the FY2026 draft budget includes 16 new general-fund positions (including six police officers), a 2.6% base pay increase for employees and a reduced long-range salary forecast; staff warned that projected PERSI contribution increases will substantially raise employer costs.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6528364,"Boise City staff present FY2026 proposal, recommend 3% property tax increase and foregone recovery",2761,35000,2796000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3408748-af654c8fdd344fa4c57badddca5bb88d&start=35&end=2796","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3408748-af654c8fdd344fa4c57badddca5bb88d/thumbnail_35000.jpg","/articles/6528364/Idaho/Boise-City-staff-present-FY2026-proposal-recommend-3-property-tax-increase-and-foregone-recovery","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6528364-e4aa7801f48f2595cdd46884f589c3d1/orig.mp4?Expires=1770997480&Signature=SXTluhaMWuyULtligdowRZDR69zctxL3~I8ABcFM9p89NB-VbhvOQatLFe4oDOGi4AVgDbWTnEIUOa2L0BF7fqkAe21iP3Ts6FYhCpqwNZPtBtL8hDvu9aI8~k5GjIAZr4EO1at6SxHNMK6cHlHfDsbgTavX-SHEBr~vrbfjBZMMzQ8vMCs66mXMpfN6ltP6yv23V2ScT0bfyTQRtLyv7HvYSPR-r-KCQOO9IiCVGufikGC2HsYI0DIOx7ygRDMvYTha07uW2EZkEWVaGlHQN5DT00ayjsoYEMPCY0tH3dB8x~SdtwZurCNV9RfcyhRbkFIAarblCKdD47dQVboeMA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Boise City staff presented a proposed fiscal year 2026 budget at a council workshop that they described as balanced but constrained by rising costs and new state limits on growth. Staff recommended taking the maximum 3% base property tax increase, using foregone recovery and drawing on capital reserves to maintain services and invest in major repairs.

The recommendation was framed as an effort to \"prioritize urgent needs while preserving and building future capacity,\" Eric, who led the budget overview, told the council. He said the budget aims to mitigate risk, invest in employees and address capital needs while preserving flexibility for future years.

Why it matters: Staff said cost growth — in particular PERSI retirement contributions, software subscriptions and insurance claims — is outpacing available revenue. At the same time, state changes to property tax treatment of growth will reduce typical new-construction revenue for the city, putting additional pressure on the general fund.

Key details
- Property taxes: Staff recommended taking the full allowable 3% base increase in FY2026 and noted three ways property tax revenue changes year over year: (1) the 3% base increase, (2) new construction/annexation/urban renewal effects, and (3) foregone recovery. Eric said the budget assumes the 3% base increase in the 10-year forecast but that the council can revisit it annually.
- House Bill 389 impacts: Courtney Washburn and Eric explained that changes in state law (House Bill 389) reduce new-construction revenue to 90% of taxable value and cap certain urban renewal receipts at 80%. Staff estimated the 90% cap on new construction reduces revenue about $1.7 million; the 80% limit on an expiring River Myrtle/Old Boise urban renewal district reduces base revenue by about $1.0 million.
- Foregone recovery and transfers: Staff proposed using foregone recovery that would generate $1.9 million in base revenue; of that, approximately $1.6 million would be transferred to the capital fund to address major repairs and maintenance. Eric said the city must declare uses for foregone funds under state law.
- Property tax rebate (circuit breaker): The budget includes $900,000 for the property tax rebate program in FY2026; staff estimated current-year payouts at about $736,000 with an average payment of roughly $500 and said actual FY2026 spending will depend on applications and eligibility.
- VRT (Valley Regional Transit): Staff noted the city has a policy/MOU of allocating an amount equivalent to 5% of property taxes toward VRT; for FY2026 staff said VRT’s requested amount was less than 5% and that the foregone revenue assumption would allow returning toward the 5% level in outer years.

What staff stressed and what remains unresolved: Staff repeatedly emphasized the structural gap between rising costs and available revenues and recommended measured, incremental steps (3% property tax increase, targeted transfers to capital and use of foregone recovery). Several council members asked for additional detail on household impacts and the per-household value of tax changes; Eric said he did not have a per-household analysis on hand but would follow up. Staff also indicated further detail will be provided at the second budget workshop and in the budget book due in June.

Ending: Staff said the FY2026 proposal is intentionally conservative to preserve options; council members pressed staff for follow-up materials and historic trend data before decisions at the subsequent workshop and the public hearing schedule that staff outlined.","City staff told the Boise City Council at a budget workshop that a proposed FY2026 budget is balanced but must rely on a 3% property tax base increase, foregone recovery and use of reserves to address rising costs driven by pensions, software and insurance.",{"_33":113,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":114,"_41":115,"_43":116,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6528345,"City flags rising software and insurance costs, outlines AI guardrails and police tech investments",0,4409000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3408748-af654c8fdd344fa4c57badddca5bb88d&start=4409&end=4409","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3408748-af654c8fdd344fa4c57badddca5bb88d/thumbnail_4409000.jpg","/articles/6528345/Idaho/City-flags-rising-software-and-insurance-costs-outlines-AI-guardrails-and-police-tech-investments","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6528345-6dc0fdeaf5c088003211e86deb30ddcb/orig.mp4?Expires=1770997480&Signature=PrjCHLjJFmcrxDURiuGEB9bn5nJUCsrAKboeFcgNeNz6n2IVvoKRWl0YA7ekf9B80KgboERwuS9zEDQX1TiUsktTBaBE9~3ssyPULHNYtDi54KOpL3hIexyHVieZyiMx18JkTTZ0PkUJWaglfBbrx7Vupq~1XP~TbHSmXCqjze3TtQgAP8J-5x11w5jkQd8z6TWgmcP59EzxdRNWwv6TSosb6rHY41IIrZRoEP2Xd53d73JvMuyYeBeuQbLt1if~3Y3--I0sFb-sDSUy76X72Fv1iFpJk1hMyzTS1TDPRgG2MGqsRSkbz30NHCORu0x1MuQcW7qxqtAL5x2nBAGMdQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City staff told the Boise City Council at a budget workshop that growing software and insurance expenses are major drivers of budget stress and outlined current technology and risk-management work including an AI policy and investments in police technology.

Software and subscription costs: Alicia and Eric said software and maintenance costs have risen materially — from about $7 million in FY2018 to a projected more than $14 million in FY2026 and an estimated $18 million by 2035 under currently planned systems. Staff said the shift to cloud and subscription licensing, additional departmental modernization needs and cybersecurity investments are main contributors. The FY2026 budget includes the first-year costs for a new ERP system and associated staff.

AI policy and pilots: Kyle Patterson (director of organizational effectiveness) told the council the city established a generative-AI policy more than a year ago. Key guardrails he summarized: staff may not use confidential or sensitive data with generative AI, they may only use preapproved tools vetted by IT, they are responsible for work produced with AI and must cite AI tools in certain circumstances. Kyle said a pilot distributing 50 licensed ChatGPT seats to staff reported an average time savings of almost four hours per week among participants.

Police technology and risk funds: Eric and other staff said targeted investments in police technology optimization (including tasers and virtual‑reality training) are intended to reduce injuries, litigation and workers' compensation claims. Separately, Alicia said the budget proposes a $1.5 million annual increase in the risk and workers' compensation fund contribution (on top of current contributions) to stabilize rising claims; staff said the current fund is roughly $7 million and that the extra contribution would bring FY2026 funding for the fund to about $8.5 million.

Ending: Staff framed software, cyber and insurance pressures as structural budget factors requiring continued investment; council members asked for more detail about how technology initiatives link to operational savings and how risk‑fund increases would be sustained over time.","Finance and IT staff told the council that software subscription costs have roughly doubled since 2018 and that increased cyber and software spending, along with rising insurance claims and workers' compensation, are major budget drivers; the city said it already has an organization-wide AI policy and is piloting licensed generative-AI tools.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

City details Pathways plan, favors concrete corridors for long‑term maintenance; 10‑year need estimated at $32.5 million

Boise proposes increased capital transfers, draws on facility reserve to fund pools, parks and major repairs

Boise budget workshop: staff propose 16 new positions, 2.6% base pay increase as PERSI costs rise

Boise City staff present FY2026 proposal, recommend 3% property tax increase and foregone recovery

City flags rising software and insurance costs, outlines AI guardrails and police tech investments