Rexburg council approves budget amendment, fee changes, grants and several project contracts

Rexburg City Council members approved a set of budget and fee changes and authorized a series of project contracts and grants during a regularly scheduled meeting. Councilors passed a fiscal-year 2025 budget amendment on first reading, approved updates to city and joint county fees (including changes to golf-course and recreational rates), adopted a Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) grant agreement for a river pathway and pedestrian bridge, and approved professional services and construction contracts for water-department design and airport pavement maintenance.

The council’s finance presenter said the total change in the FY2025 amendment is $2,138,700. The council opened a public hearing on the amendment and recorded no public testimony before moving the ordinance forward on first reading.

The council also held a joint public hearing on revised city fees that affect multiple departments (parks/recreation, police, public works) and certain county-shared services (the golf course and Rexburg Rapids). After discussion, the council approved the fee changes. During debate members focused on the golf-course rate structure, proof-of-residency methods for the newly offered Madison County discount, downtown resident parking permit increases, and police forensic and shooting-range user fees.

On capital and infrastructure items the council approved a TAP grant resolution to fund a river pathway and pedestrian bridge east of the Second East Bridge that will connect the north and south-side trails. The council also adopted a resolution to move forward with installation of a traffic signal at Seventh South and Center Street near the university athletic fields; the city’s estimated match for the signal…