[{"_1":2,"_122":-5,"_123":-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",[32,75,87,98,110],{"_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":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6495065,"mediaKeyId","5587782-0849c6ac92fe15fab929ef57e7254017","parentId",5587782,"title","Idaho Falls holds public hearings on fees and tentative 2025–26 budget; council removes downtown parking fee from consideration","audioSeconds",1815,"startMs",953000,"endMs",2768000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5587782-0849c6ac92fe15fab929ef57e7254017&start=953&end=2768","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5587782-0849c6ac92fe15fab929ef57e7254017/thumbnail_953000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6495065/Idaho-Falls/Bonneville-County/Idaho/Idaho-Falls-holds-public-hearings-on-fees-and-tentative-202526-budget-council-removes-downtown-parking-fee-from-consideration","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6495065-db16ffe39b2960ae762390daca997f44/orig.mp4?Expires=1770443061&Signature=kIYCGdK4mjFU4UtrqR10HRLxwjPYEoEqcdgOguhJgSD7ZB87jd5qX3u01OWwxnK-fpiwGbC2A~zmdDSMy790Cga88zd3o7zVgAdPb6aD5cqm8FwepCBdatLtlu3GtFXk0TxtPMikAGRJ9-kty7-TWmMMYwzZkUGJD1hDs96SBEaWdCKHEuVzki2E-wzaisEBDS-azj0QZQaXUpcImfcukHU8cn2Ujxu08eYIbbsu~n7qFUNoyBet1fBB6InpYa5zu7do~UcirUIUlE1m2NJ9QFWG0IQw8FIQD2TxXbq9WccyCVDXtP~CwepMzJaJ3HLO9Sk2hzdceUMTBHrfhNXyLw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Idaho Falls City","date","2025-08-14T00:00:00Z","article","Mayor (name not specified) opened a series of four public hearings Wednesday on proposed fee increases, two foregone-levy requests and the city’s tentative 2025–26 budget, and turned the presentations over to Municipal Services Director Pam Alexander and municipal staff.

Alexander told the council the tentative budget totals $389,600,000 and incorporates a 3% statutory property tax levy, growth and annexation revenue, a requested 1% ongoing foregone levy and a 1% one‑time capital foregone levy. The budget document, she said, includes market adjustments for non‑union and fire employees and anticipates enterprise rate increases for power, fiber, water, sanitation and wastewater. Alexander said the city’s draft budget book (about 190 pages) is posted on the city website for public review.

Why it matters: the council will vote on the fee schedule and the tentative budget at its meeting in two weeks; changes adopted then will set the not‑to‑exceed spending authority for fiscal 2025–26.

Key proposals and staff presentations

- Fees: City staff outlined proposed new or increased fees that require public hearing when a proposed rate is new or increases more than 5%. Proposed changes ranged across departments: airport customer facility charge increase from $4 to $6 and new badging/parking/printing fees; parks and recreation increases of 3–5% for certain passes and golf programs; water, sanitation and wastewater fee adjustments; Idaho Falls Power space/demand/service charge increases (2–10%); fiber charge increases (3–9%); and Fire Department EMS fee increases (5%). The city clerk confirmed the hearing notice was published as required by state statute on August 2 and 9.

- Foregone levies: Staff described two foregone requests. The first is a request to levy 1% of ongoing foregone authority to cover part of the cost of 12 firefighter positions after the SAFER grant from FEMA sunsets; staff estimated the ongoing amount at approximately $506,638. The second is a request to use part of the three‑percent one‑time capital foregone authority (staff proposed $500,000) to help fund a storage facility to protect fire equipment; staff said construction could take about 18 months and the $500,000 would be a portion of the facility cost.

Council action on downtown parking fees

During the fee hearing staff noted that the Downtown Development Corporation (IFDDC) requested postponement of a proposed downtown on‑street parking fee included in Section 2.16 of the published fee schedule. Councilor Francis moved and a colleague seconded a motion to remove Section 2.16 items a–d from consideration at both hearings (effectively postponing the downtown parking fee from the fee hearings scheduled for the meeting and the adoption vote in two weeks). The roll call vote carried (aye). The clerk recorded the motion as carried; the council directed that the item not be considered at final fee adoption two weeks later.

Public testimony

Several members of the public spoke during the budget hearing: business owner Terry Ireland introduced herself and identified a parking petition she leads; Nan Hancock raised concerns about a reduction in street funding and said snow removal quality needs improvement; Mel Bowling urged continued or increased investment in parks and expressed concern about an apparent 17% parks expenditure decrease in the draft; and one speaker (using the first name Christian) urged large cuts to the police department and criticized enforcement practices. Director Alexander and the mayor framed the hearings as informational and said final votes would occur in two weeks; the city clerk reminded attendees that written comments would be added to the record.

What the hearings do not decide tonight

Council members and staff stressed that the hearings were for public input: the fee schedule, foregone levies and the tentative budget will be formally acted on at the council’s meeting in two weeks. Staff also noted state statute requirements for public notices and for how foregone authority is applied (1% ongoing authority; up to 3% one‑time capital authority for qualifying capital projects).

Next steps

The hearings were closed with no further testimony. The council will consider final ordinances/resolutions to set the fee schedule, adopt the tentative budget (not to exceed amount) and decide whether to approve the requested foregone levies at its meeting two weeks from the hearing.

Ending note: staff emphasized the budget book and related materials are available on the city website and that written comments will be included in the official record for council consideration at the adoption hearing.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Idaho Falls City - City Council Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Mayor (name not specified) opened four public hearings on proposed fees, two foregone‑levy requests and the tentative 2025–26 budget Wednesday, and the council voted to remove proposed downtown on‑street parking fees from consideration after a request from the Idaho Falls Downtown Development Corporation.","taxTitle","Idaho Falls, Bonneville County, Idaho","taxId",4472,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6495046,"Council approves ordinance updating mayor and council compensation effective Jan. 1, 2026",749,4404000,5153000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5587782-0849c6ac92fe15fab929ef57e7254017&start=4404&end=5153","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5587782-0849c6ac92fe15fab929ef57e7254017/thumbnail_4404000.jpg","/articles/6495046/Idaho-Falls/Bonneville-County/Idaho/Council-approves-ordinance-updating-mayor-and-council-compensation-effective-Jan-1-2026","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6495046-71156d8a5f3931b9b605952ef19a2efa/orig.mp4?Expires=1770443061&Signature=Ervaj6Ak31FXfsHJ0ttADdox0lrg7hjojpV20RfiqKfOGVbuBBraBT-gmEDofnaWTNCZFn~ZrI3KZYypeHbCi1NF5w9uySVISSosVk-HK~lZODDEvSJ5Z3VxwDIf2qLQNXhHxV4eIkymo2wNFyJNPnBsIva-4kw7kiy7MGBsIIeA8olTwAj0ZdHU~qEfHI1l5aeM~2OMYqyv2d6DMmyiu9m-zEgK5Pf04ZwvdiSj4zEejcXiVKPFOkxjRb54fp2O2Z73-5zn64CcWV9cOGD~rAmmbm40-S5CgeVCi9GO0jilHExcBAuFK1BV3KTQ~yIglq3Gt0znU4IXmKOu7FtCwA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The council considered an ordinance amending city code chapters that set mayoral and council compensation. The Human Resources director presented benchmark data comparing neighboring and similar‑sized Idaho cities and described a multi‑year phased adjustment for mayor and council pay.

Key provisions

- Mayor: proposed phased increases (as presented in the ordinance text) to take effect Jan. 1, 2026, with later increases in 2027 and 2028. The ordinance summary presented to council specified the effective start date of January 1, 2026 for the first adjustment.

- Council members: proposed increases that similarly phase in beginning Jan. 1, 2026 and in subsequent years.

Council debate and rationale

Several councilors emphasized that the vote sets compensation for the position, not for an individual, and cited the increased time commitment and complexity of city government in recent years as justification. One councilor expressed discomfort with the scale and pace of the raise and said they likely would vote no. The mayor and other councilors said the increases were phased to reduce near‑term budget impact.

Vote and next steps

A motion to adopt the ordinance passed on roll call by a recorded council majority. The clerk read the ordinance title for a publication‑by‑summary requirement; staff confirmed the ordinance changes will not take effect until Jan. 1, 2026. The city clerk will publish the required summary in the newspaper and staff will implement the ordinance on the stated effective date.

Why it matters

The ordinance adjusts compensation for elected officials to reflect the workload and market comparisons presented to council; because adjustments take effect at the start of a calendar year, voters will have the opportunity to weigh in in the next election cycle if they choose to do so.

Ending note

The council framed the action as a position‑level adjustment intended to reflect the demands of the office rather than a change targeted at current officeholders.","After deliberation the council voted 4–2 to adopt an ordinance increasing council and mayor compensation with phased salary adjustments effective Jan. 1, 2026; ordinance will be published by summary and the changes take effect at the start of 2026.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":79,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6495050,"Council awards $1.67 million contract for citywide commercial water‑meter installations",394,4010000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5587782-0849c6ac92fe15fab929ef57e7254017&start=4010&end=4404","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5587782-0849c6ac92fe15fab929ef57e7254017/thumbnail_4010000.jpg","/articles/6495050/Idaho-Falls/Bonneville-County/Idaho/Council-awards-167-million-contract-for-citywide-commercial-watermeter-installations","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6495050-82eb9a1c40679665c1a1ed3b92aa816a/orig.mp4?Expires=1770443061&Signature=ANcCkFGEFn73kNOSyWZMQ5a0r8cD4jtKF5xKZNAHlqDRT-jsQ6QEvlYvSyFEZBqgXlBQ-CNS7Rh9Fv8V~cou4GfNHkXCLejssgdtEFXfpVj3yNiq0NHgLg3zR1ryNsweIx-1g5UReFFUyHj-oHlpBjVM7H~~J629eWnDS0IiJk3-ppbePOlPd6dJbujXmIqEgiqhDgQSHZy8tKMfaH3~h3mKkMv4MXm45Z-AR3Tn-6y5EywMxbJpq7~E5NrRaWPEBDt~yStdOSCBXrgSo5r1zoTuDsARbXrkisphUCQjOqKZHaiHmTMR~K3k2~cJ3JI~ckyWloGsKh0ycx1DvJPIKg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Public Works staff reported they opened bids on August 6 for a citywide commercial water meter box installation project. Two bids were received; the lowest responsive combined base bid and alternatives was $1,672,885 from JN (also recorded as JM) Concrete Inc. Staff said the contract would install 373 commercial meters this fall at various locations across the city.

Funding and benefits

Staff told council the project is funded from the water division budget and that roughly half of the project cost will be reimbursed through a Bureau of Reclamation grant. Public Works said commercial metering and conservation can reduce potable water use for served accounts by up to 30–35% and can defer the need for additional potable supply wells.

Council discussion and vote

Councilors asked how commercial meter installations are prioritized; staff said the program first targeted the highest‑usage commercial customers and is now moving down the list. A motion to approve the plans and specifications and to award the base bid and bid alternatives to the lowest responsive, responsible bidder (JN/JM Concrete Inc.) in the amount of $1,672,885 passed on roll call vote; the mayor and city clerk were authorized to execute the necessary documents.

Next steps

The contractor will be issued a notice to proceed and staff will coordinate site scheduling and reimbursement under the grant agreement.","Council approved a bid award to the lowest responsive bidder (JM/JN Concrete Inc.) for installation of 373 commercial meter boxes citywide at a total award of $1,672,885; funding will come from the water division and a Bureau of Reclamation grant covering roughly half the cost.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6495056,"Council approves Horrocks design agreement for S. 15 East & E. 49 South intersection improvements",134,3710000,3844000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5587782-0849c6ac92fe15fab929ef57e7254017&start=3710&end=3844","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5587782-0849c6ac92fe15fab929ef57e7254017/thumbnail_3710000.jpg","/articles/6495056/Idaho-Falls/Bonneville-County/Idaho/Council-approves-Horrocks-design-agreement-for-S-15-East-E-49-South-intersection-improvements","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6495056-d3d4a8df385546ce484cd3d262635afe/orig.mp4?Expires=1770443061&Signature=gjdk5yI8TSLna95WZmH3iAxRVIP~gDHB8elpXbqz6ONTxTCgR0PAKlfOIdLuFnikr0l8X39oyQ6aEzq7L5KaKswY6afL5AlpHZr-YXdifWQ3ScxKA1MXET8sPN3CkVjBNoklV-4-A78PUMa62pk~0acgIT2O0PI3zETXbgF4HuM3u7ZYAmj9LdALVIPSW5e22ADTocy95zJ6Qh992j3bsgPGc4E9CHLe2kYAx7OTvKdzcALOPnK0aUO5Ak-dhAb7UA-l2-cci9xkq53WEjeh2seeXCfOhAAGNNCxleIa9bgWZXKZ276DVKFcgkZ3-2V609ULbbijN3xq1NEs6wFPWA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Public Works Director (name not specified in transcript) presented a proposed local professional services agreement with Horrocks LLC to design turn lanes and a traffic signal at the intersection of South 15 East and East 49 South.

Under the agreement, Horrocks will develop the design required to add turn lanes and install a traffic signal. The professional‑services cost is not to exceed $237,812; the city will pay the upfront amount and expects reimbursement of approximately 92.66% from the funding program. Director Frederickson told council construction funding is anticipated in 2027 and that the project would share costs with Bonneville County where applicable.

Why it matters: staff said the intersection improvements are intended to address safety and operations on a corridor with growth and will be funded through a Local Highway Safety Improvement Program (as described by staff) and related participation agreements.

Council discussion and vote

Councilors asked staff to confirm funding sources and timelines. A motion to approve the professional services agreement with Horrocks LLC and authorize the mayor and city clerk to execute the necessary documents passed on roll call vote.

Next steps

Horrocks will proceed with design; staff will return to council with construction documents and a schedule as funding availability and reimbursement agreements are executed.","Public Works requested a professional‑services agreement with Horrocks LLC (design firm) for turn‑lane additions and a traffic signal at the S. 15 East and E. 49 South intersection; council approved the agreement not to exceed $237,812 with state/local grant participation for reimbursement.",{"_33":111,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":112,"_41":113,"_43":114,"_45":115,"_47":116,"_49":117,"_51":118,"_53":119,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":120,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":121,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6495060,"Idaho Falls Power awards downtown alley undergrounding contract to B Jackson Construction",546,3314000,3860000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5587782-0849c6ac92fe15fab929ef57e7254017&start=3314&end=3860","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5587782-0849c6ac92fe15fab929ef57e7254017/thumbnail_3314000.jpg","/articles/6495060/Idaho-Falls/Bonneville-County/Idaho/Idaho-Falls-Power-awards-downtown-alley-undergrounding-contract-to-B-Jackson-Construction","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6495060-baed5da6c479112c5f0fc1c4c93e89e9/orig.mp4?Expires=1770443061&Signature=DOlntNHBrKBRv0f7XjEsySoFJ~ubvJfxBqYXVyVXIVMZytQlkLJ~5Bv4qhqNBNeNVtwAunzh6M2LF1FQvfD8uc-8vuHkfjFHHBfVPm1rNGTwxl8CungAnM0XGHkj9AHcu0du~l~cEMNuTxv3uKS43khvRo0JCj-ZDWU86BqNN0dLZlHA2bMf7695ysy0a0bfXLyytIth6rxq3hK9af1FGhjCyefBmTMXOQTy0TFtejN-biQiiBtvgRQmWxOd3o8Sy5wmVjzfiicO8hfgweT-YbE040sLVgMe1foAVhb9x6xkMZh5guVFsEajqSz31H8JKf93sJYe0Hm03BcIOA~WLw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Idaho Falls Power chief financial officer Josh Bruce told the council the downtown alley undergrounding project — funded in part by a $2 million grant from the Idaho Office of Energy and Mineral Resources (OER) — aims to remove overhead wires, poles and transformers across three downtown alleyways and relocate that infrastructure underground to improve reliability and safety.

Bruce said an initial bid for the general‑construction portion (Part A) came back substantially higher than the city’s engineering estimate because the early scope would have required trenching under a railroad and under Yellowstone Avenue. The department rebid the work with a revised alignment that avoids trenching under the railroad and Yellowstone, and it received three bids on the revised scope.

The council voted to accept a Part A low‑responsive bid from B Jackson Construction for a not‑to‑exceed amount of $509,754.94. The electrical (Part B) work had been previously approved when its bids matched engineering estimates.

Why it matters: staff said moving lines underground will improve downtown reliability and site safety and make the alleys more attractive for businesses and the public. The revised alignment retains an electrical “loop feed” design so an outage in one segment can be isolated, limiting the customer impact.

Council discussion

Councilors asked about bid differences and removed bid items. Councilor questions focused on unit pricing for excavation and contingencies for unknown conditions in old downtown alleyways; staff said the contract includes a 10% contingency to address unknown subsurface conditions and noted B Jackson’s recent work for the city’s fiber directional‑boring projects.

Vote

A motion to accept and approve the award to B Jackson Construction in a not‑to‑exceed amount of $509,754.94 passed by roll call vote; the clerk recorded the motion as carried.

Next steps

The mayor and city clerk were authorized to execute the contract documents and Idaho Falls Power will manage construction and contingency draws.","Idaho Falls Power presented a previously awarded $2 million OER grant project to underground overhead electrical infrastructure in three downtown alleys and the council approved a $509,754.94 not‑to‑exceed construction contract with B Jackson Construction for the general‑construction portion of phase 1.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Idaho Falls holds public hearings on fees and tentative 2025–26 budget; council removes downtown parking fee from consideration

Council approves ordinance updating mayor and council compensation effective Jan. 1, 2026

Council awards $1.67 million contract for citywide commercial water‑meter installations

Council approves Horrocks design agreement for S. 15 East & E. 49 South intersection improvements

Idaho Falls Power awards downtown alley undergrounding contract to B Jackson Construction