Pocatello leaders cite $10.3 million in ARPA funding, new brand and infrastructure gains in state of the city

Mayor Brian Gladden told the Pocatello City Council that the city will apply $10,300,000 in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds and additional grant awards to projects completed or underway in fiscal year 2024. "The city of Pocatello will accomplish many projects during fiscal year 2024 using the $10,300,000 in American Rescue Plan Act or ARPA monies awarded to Pocatello," Gladden said.

The mayor and department heads used the council meeting to summarize 2024 efforts that city leaders said improved public safety, transportation, parks and basic services while leveraging federal and private grant money. The presentation emphasized the scale of outside funding and its role in allowing the city to undertake projects beyond the general fund budget.

City staff said the Planning Division applied for 13 state and federal grants totaling about $30,000,000 and received eight awards amounting to over $18,000,000; the city reported a required match of $195,000, of which $65,000 came from the general fund. Planning and development director Brett McClain said those grants supported infrastructure, parks, housing and trails work. "Of the 13 grants, the city was awarded 8 of these for over $18,000,000," McClain said.

Public safety leaders reported program and facility upgrades. Pocatello Police Department Chief Roger Shy cited a pilot Youth Leadership Academy for about 20 participants and upgrades to the men's locker room to support modern equipment. Fire Chief Ryan O'Hearn described new data-analysis tools, a station alerting system aimed at faster response times, and paramedic training partially funded by a FEMA grant that allowed seven employees to begin paramedic programs.

Public works and transportation projects highlighted in the presentation included: - Reconstruction and traffic-signal improvements at the Hawthorne and West Quinn intersection, a project the city said previously carried more than 10,000 daily trips and had an estimated cost of approximately $4,000,000; the city paid a 7.34% match and Chubbuck reimbursed 25% of that match. - Pavement rehabilitation covering more than 40 miles in the annual pavement management program and use of road assessment AI across 277 centerline miles. - A new fueling station serving approximately 600 assets and 475 units at the Fleet Services facility on Garrett Way.

Parks and recreation updates included the opening of an Idaho Central Credit Union–sponsored splash pad at Brooklyn Park, installation of turf at Brooklyn's playground, opening of two new 35-foot waterslides at Ross Park Aquatics Complex and completion of Con Gilmore pickleball courts with ADA-accessible surfaces and lighting. The Community Recreation Center remodel, funded in part by the Portneff Health Trust, added a 3,200-square-foot weight room and other accessibility and facility upgrades at an estimated $1,500,000 in improvements.

Utilities and environmental work cited major capital improvements: the water utility reported supplying more than 4,700,000,000 gallons in 2024, completion of the Pocatello Creek Booster Station and transmission line to improve delivery to more than 35,100 homes on the East Bench, and 2 miles of replaced aging water mains. The Water Pollution Control Department said it treated more than 1,200,000,000 gallons of wastewater and completed equipment upgrades including a new dewatering facility and digester mixing system.

Other departmental highlights included nearly 200,000 transit passenger trips and a free summer youth transit program supported by Idaho Central Credit Union, more than 3,196 permits issued by the building department (including 134 new residential permits), library circulation of almost 160,000 physical items and over 60,000 e-materials, and the Pocatello Animal Shelter maintaining its no-kill status with 1,032 adoptions in 2024.

Why this matters: city officials said ARPA funds and successful grant applications allowed Pocatello to accelerate maintenance and new projects that otherwise would likely have waited for general-fund availability. Many projects described depend on continued grant funding, intergovernmental cooperation or contractor schedules.

Mayor Gladden and council leaders closed the presentation by thanking staff and outlining an intent to continue pursuing grants and responsible budgeting. "We are committed to continuing our balanced, responsible, conscientious, approach to budgeting and managing the city's funds," Council President Lurek said near the meeting's close.