[{"_1":2,"_121":-5,"_122":-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",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":44,"_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":73},"mediaId",6527030,"mediaKeyId","3659260-13f69c3ce2979132f4100adacd1b53e3","parentId",3659260,"title","Council votes to enter executive session to consult legal counsel on probable litigation","audioSeconds",0,"startMs",4601000,"endMs","viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3659260-13f69c3ce2979132f4100adacd1b53e3&start=4601&end=4601","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3659260-13f69c3ce2979132f4100adacd1b53e3/thumbnail_4601000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6527030/Idaho/Council-votes-to-enter-executive-session-to-consult-legal-counsel-on-probable-litigation","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6527030-0495f3440384a50810a57e48db7abda9/orig.mp4?Expires=1771159587&Signature=T~6ul1eb-RdDiLJfKHlTNAf31x8I5bjbsAUCoJVuAnnVxfdUl1ac7z3ip3Qa~lVk8fI1hCmErKZg4H31Yx0-gyLtRE5PFGi9g0bt7Iol86IA-aX-qcmQVNMKQLBcjcI4LeYbJengxwU~-4I3gP7iTPq~RUR7DaDuVDT9m3GnHWO0YkQ4tKcHFog5xaoGRWbiXsd5SSIpJdaHrelbyrFQhEdyxTAFNrjeW9u8IzPv2WEYMfyebYUsBhJ6L81TvmAv88TyevuKiYdNDz3zG6dFC6xrVOBsJZDTEBXARs80QjhyWrQexHZZCrv7nQcTGcGoUMtdfpoGQmn~GwqzgcdVXg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Boise","date","2025-06-04T18:27:46Z","article","The City Council moved and voted to enter an executive session to consult with legal counsel about probable litigation. A council member said, \"pursuant to item code section 74 2 0 6 1 f, I moved to enter executive session to communicate with legal counsel on pending probable, litigation,\" and another council member seconded the motion.

The clerk called the roll and the motion carried; the council announced it would reconvene at 6 p.m. The motion was taken under the city code provision cited on the record. No substantive legal details were discussed in open session.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Boise City Council - Work Session","oneSentenceSummary","The City Council moved, seconded and voted to convene an executive session under the cited item code to consult with legal counsel regarding probable litigation; the motion carried and the meeting was set to reconvene at 6 p.m.","taxTitle","Boise City, Boise, Ada County, Idaho","taxId",8706,"location","Idaho","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_46":81,"_48":82,"_50":83,"_52":84,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":85,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":86,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6527033,"City forester asks council to restore two forestry positions, highlights 85,000 public trees",1102,3091000,4193000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3659260-13f69c3ce2979132f4100adacd1b53e3&start=3091&end=4193","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3659260-13f69c3ce2979132f4100adacd1b53e3/thumbnail_3091000.jpg","/articles/6527033/Idaho/City-forester-asks-council-to-restore-two-forestry-positions-highlights-85000-public-trees","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6527033-705adb71fd30f0171b666dddf4df3b60/orig.mp4?Expires=1771159587&Signature=dsHLpOMT5oRgDFCSKKu7erLp9M1ZKnkO1H2jXZuIMxPCXODkfJsk7n1NXF8nuyV8iqYyqS~wCV0r4L84i8UsxaQWtFEQvum65PnncW5DyW2Ptp03Uevqh7NqNu2ME4L84urLdy4B77Njkke~yfkDzsjgpzve-dUyujME0mR5ww0DFHmOluJAeFSsarigEm2WIHQqjhZ~w-rEXcyXv4AypvSt3kEUXgIivY~OfUB2NlVcDsBBSIsdRNoy4V9O0ImZ7aVpSB0JzbTYupiEPnVQp7bEI8fQMJFnPi64zPB9g5A~22JhgV5tdQTqFuDeUaJ~w1iGMJ9zgfJhZjO9b~ih1Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Boise’s city forester told the City Council on Tuesday that the forestry division manages roughly 85,000 public trees, operates a municipal nursery, and is seeking two positions — a tree inspector and a field arborist — to restore staffing and expand proactive tree care.

\"We're a small division in the parks and rec department,\" City Forester Mike Andrews said at the start of his presentation. Andrews said the 85,000‑tree figure comes from a 2024 LiDAR canopy assessment that counted woody plants of a specified size and height across the city.

Andrews described the division's work: plan review for development, a seven‑year pruning cycle for public right‑of‑way trees, reactive work on the Boise River Greenbelt and parks, public outreach, a municipal nursery that produces saplings, and wood‑product sales of processed chips. He described the Elaine Clague City of Trees Challenge (a separate tree‑planting initiative) and said the city had planted nearly 20,000 trees so far toward a 100,000‑tree goal.

On staffing, Andrews said the forestry team currently has 10 full‑time staff (five field arborists, one crew chief, two tree inspectors, a nursery manager and others) and that the division lost two positions about eight years ago. He said adding one tree inspector and one field arborist would return the division to its prior staffing level and would allow more proactive inspections and safer, more efficient in‑house crew work.

Andrews and councilmembers discussed continuing to contract for some work (he said contracted work would still be necessary) and how the division coordinates with partners including Ada County Parks, ACHD and Idaho Power. Councilmembers thanked staff and asked for follow‑up about best practices for greening commercial properties and potential additional resources for the Greenbelt and parks.

Andrews closed by noting the division’s Tree City USA recognition and outreach awards and said he was available for follow‑up presentations or briefings on contacts and commercial‑property guidance.","The city forester described the scope of Boise’s urban canopy, the division’s workloads and a request to add one tree inspector and one field arborist to restore staffing to prior levels; staff said the division manages about 85,000 public trees and runs a nursery and tree‑planting initiatives.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_46":93,"_48":94,"_50":95,"_52":96,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":97,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":98,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6527038,"Boise outlines multi‑facility water renewal plan, WIFIA financing and FY26 rate proposal",1528,1512000,3040000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3659260-13f69c3ce2979132f4100adacd1b53e3&start=1512&end=3040","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3659260-13f69c3ce2979132f4100adacd1b53e3/thumbnail_1512000.jpg","/articles/6527038/Idaho/Boise-outlines-multifacility-water-renewal-plan-WIFIA-financing-and-FY26-rate-proposal","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6527038-1bc67483aa98396e7ed7a1689f7c4191/orig.mp4?Expires=1771159587&Signature=WqswxYGiX22vlp67Hw479q64XFuwWrQ-4fleTgTteRrzilF652X9tDsZR1Lh14B-cFHF-XNgbgvyhgkbQ4v45f00e9C1ptSCvEW10-nwXGssL4pzejJMkbBtGWqZkD1b2slKcCqDKiN9o7FLlDvZcbBt6h6QpxnCCoAXaAN5fKDDyv~j5zGvLCAC6ULzU81epCvsmXD6MlB237K8Jeztmo~4jlDM~QAyhfjLjd0UvvbPTW0gXzc8wKgM2P7NeijqvnYFGdDSOpLS0lRPnQT9IKlvo0C~XhEGQpSRj2qbmO2f3fooEucVftKGUMhP6qTXq~no5K~aMuKAa0vzWEiJsg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City water‑renewal staff gave the Boise City Council an update on system condition, current projects and financing plans tied to a 10‑year capital program.

\"It's multiple facilities, over a thousand miles of pipe, 29 lift stations. We serve 3 communities about 30,000,000 gallons per day of treatment right now,\" Haley told the council, summarizing the scope and scale of Boise's water renewal system and the planning drivers: growth, regulatory compliance, condition and resiliency for climate-change impacts.

Staff reviewed progress on Lander Street and West Boise treatment facilities (capacity expansions, ultraviolet disinfection, and future phosphorus-removal work), collection‑system and lift‑station projects, and a recycled‑water program intended to add capacity and reuse options. Haley described construction‑market pressures — a roughly 50% national increase in construction costs since 2020, amplified locally — and said the utility has adjusted scopes, phased projects and added program management and early procurement strategies to reduce schedule and price risk.

Financing: staff reminded the council that a November 2021 bond authorization (voter approval ~81%) allows up to $570 million of borrowing for utility projects. That authorization was split for WIFIA and other bond financing: roughly $399 million was identified for WIFIA; the initial WIFIA loan authorization is $264 million of which $40 million has been drawn, and the city has issued approximately $80 million in other bonds ($70 million spent to date), according to the presentation. Haley said WIFIA proceeds are supporting recycled water work, West Boise and Lander Street projects, and some collection work.

On rates, staff proposed a 9.9% water‑renewal rate increase for FY26, which Haley said would increase the average residential monthly water‑renewal charge to about $58. \"The rate recommendation for water renewal for FY 26 is 9.9%,\" Haley told council. Staff also noted existing affordability programs (one‑time emergency assistance and hardship discounts) and said coordination with regional utilities on affordability was ongoing.

Regulatory drivers: Haley told council the Clean Water Act and state rulemaking inform permit limits, and singled out phosphorus limits in current permits and a possible future tightening of ammonia limits driven by sensitive species as examples that could drive future capital needs. Staff listed upcoming construction contracts and said the utility would bring guaranteed‑maximum‑price packages and other procurement actions to council in the coming months.

Councilmembers asked about bringing more work in house, regulatory examples and the timing of bond draws; staff said some planning and demolition work has been brought in house, and that the financial team determines when to access remaining bond/WIFIA proceeds. Staff stated they expect the bond proceeds to be spent by 02/19/30 with a 30‑year funding horizon for repayment.","Utility staff described simultaneous treatment and collection projects, federal WIFIA financing and a FY26 recommended 9.9% water renewal rate (estimated $58/month for typical residential use); staff warned of higher construction costs and regulatory drivers such as phosphorus and possible future ammonia limits.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_46":105,"_48":106,"_50":107,"_52":108,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":109,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":110,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6527043,"City staff outline strategy to shore up workers’ comp and risk reserves; propose ongoing $1.5M transfer",1129,341000,1470000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3659260-13f69c3ce2979132f4100adacd1b53e3&start=341&end=1470","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3659260-13f69c3ce2979132f4100adacd1b53e3/thumbnail_341000.jpg","/articles/6527043/Idaho/City-staff-outline-strategy-to-shore-up-workers-comp-and-risk-reserves-propose-ongoing-15M-transfer","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6527043-a4ed6e88f89be9616567cb81c389b02e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771159587&Signature=XZx~1YVWM4hWYeL8d0mlrmHCR7L7-CD6ocr6CqcITpFx02oCS7s6HkVzndCX7CbLFMQBEpCwknth2BBx2Ydaw4mt-iZStBgpEpfCXJ9jmWFvapUZd0VoZtr0enndNWSLfl4Z4TF9foKvjVhd7l0q8TJxVITflPAn8Eg4Kn3z6J1jrXwT2-a9UpTTMpkgBLVZ37p8bfTvxBCfHJcCIpwkXVav8jOo8Hr0OH1i27yeNBJgY7r41b14eIB0G~V2J0m-oxQe8R67ijr-UFxth~EUy-7YP75TPRUiDRMZpy9AxFJwGJqYwxWLMq48TydPMVuA-NFQ8c00H1BppuKMBqQUIw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City risk and safety staff told the Boise City Council on Tuesday that a mix of legislative changes, large claims and national insurance-market trends have reduced the city's reserves relative to actuarial targets and that the city should both mitigate risk and increase ongoing funding to the risk and workers' compensation funds.

\"If our insurance policy had a $1,000,000 self insured retention, then our actuaries...would want us to have somewhere between 5,000,000 and 10,000,000 for us to have what would be considered a healthy fund surplus,\" Christine Miller, the city's risk and safety presenter, said during her briefing. Miller described the two-city funds — a workers' comp fund and a separate risk fund — and the way self-insured retention (SIR) levels affect the amount actuaries recommend the city keep in reserve.

Miller told the council that legislative changes increased exposure for public-safety employees: a 2016 presumptive illness law for fire employees (linking certain cancers to job exposure) and a later law expanding post-traumatic stress injury coverage both led to larger claims and higher self-insured-retention requirements. Miller said those changes contributed to a shift in the funds' SIR and reserve ratios and that the city has previously used one-time transfers and higher annual reimbursements to try to restore the funds to actuarial targets.

Miller said staff were recommending an ongoing $1,500,000 annual investment to the workers' comp and risk funds to keep reserves within the actuaries' target range. She also described a proactive, performance-management approach the city has begun: monthly scorecards with department heads, targeted facility inspections, cybersecurity training, investments in park forestry and police technology intended to reduce claims exposure.

When asked for fund balances, Miller said she did not have the “today” balance on hand in the meeting but provided beginning-of-fiscal-year numbers: the workers' compensation fund balance at the start of the fiscal year was $9,600,000 and the risk fund was about $4,000,000. Miller offered to follow up with current balances and additional details if council requested them.

Councilmembers expressed support for a proactive mitigation approach and asked staff to continue reporting on progress and any budget implications.","Risk and safety staff told Boise City Council they plan to pursue proactive mitigation work and recommended an ongoing $1.5 million annual transfer to workers' compensation and risk funds to restore actuarial reserve ratios after legislative changes increased city liabilities.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":42,"_43":114,"_45":114,"_46":115,"_48":116,"_50":117,"_52":118,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":119,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":120,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":71,"_72":73,"_74":73},6527048,"Boise City reports midyear finances tracking broadly on budget; liquor tax lags",1236000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3659260-13f69c3ce2979132f4100adacd1b53e3&start=1236&end=1236","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3659260-13f69c3ce2979132f4100adacd1b53e3/thumbnail_1236000.jpg","/articles/6527048/Idaho/Boise-City-reports-midyear-finances-tracking-broadly-on-budget-liquor-tax-lags","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6527048-32c38658199d77f7c55c1e23ecf038db/orig.mp4?Expires=1771159587&Signature=hCbSbeIps8JCK0Wo9HZN7mDaOTaazd6JBVH1V2M~WwCG~hvi7T2ah70B8bdAOTTTQeqlmfHKzhdyDdL-7ayKRnVcPWzP0yCKFyeVnNmgrtpCevPTU1XtrqpfU9a9SAFOvb~wTfiDRzSq84Li-waceJDleL-8k~2IsGIK5jVAwdz53ORl6GgVK0GJhlHdOjCijKxopY1DsgPcNR9w-X27neUIpeLg4ZdT4yTP2qxNo88lBwiTNne1~TqR-MIrn1O42rzrcHJXBYyKZ83QtFd6UnE8LHwuxAW8MXNRXPJF1uj4rGYvyNBa1cZKECmq6OfpehvVa2NGTBtcvsbxGwCEBQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Boise City finance staff told the City Council on Tuesday that general fund revenues and expenditures were broadly within expected ranges through the second quarter of fiscal 2025 (January–March). Alicia McAndrews, presenting the second-quarter report, said the city had received 49% of budgeted general fund revenues by the end of the quarter and that key indicators were largely steady.

\"Overall, I'm pleased to report that the city's general fund revenues and expenditures are tracking within the expected ranges,\" McAndrews said. She told councilmembers that property tax — the city's largest revenue source — is on track to meet budgeted levels, with the second property tax distribution expected in July, and that development fees were exceeding budget expectations because of large commercial projects.

The report showed that sales tax collections were performing as expected while liquor tax receipts were below projections, a shortfall McAndrews attributed to lower statewide alcohol consumption. On expenditures, the general fund was slightly underspent relative to calendar days: about 47.7% of the budget had been expended by the end of quarter 2. McAndrews said the city’s vacancy rate (about 5.5%) produced some personnel savings, partially offset by overtime and one-time compensation paid earlier in the fiscal year.

McAndrews reviewed categories of operating spending: some items (software and systems maintenance, building and grounds, vehicle maintenance) had passed the 50% benchmark, while fuel and professional services were below midyear targets. She noted the city would continue monthly monitoring and report back in the third quarter with any material changes.

Councilmembers asked clarifying questions about the liquor tax shortfall and whether budget assumptions for fiscal 2026 had been adjusted. McAndrews confirmed the finance staff had reduced budget assumptions for FY26 to reflect lower liquor-tax expectations.

The presentation closed with McAndrews offering to take additional council questions and to provide any more detailed balances on request.","City finance director said general fund revenues and expenditures were within expected ranges through the second quarter (Jan.–Mar. 2025) while liquor tax receipts trailed projections; personnel vacancy savings and rising development fees offset some pressures.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council votes to enter executive session to consult legal counsel on probable litigation

City forester asks council to restore two forestry positions, highlights 85,000 public trees

Boise outlines multi‑facility water renewal plan, WIFIA financing and FY26 rate proposal

City staff outline strategy to shore up workers’ comp and risk reserves; propose ongoing $1.5M transfer

Boise City reports midyear finances tracking broadly on budget; liquor tax lags