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

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…