Council approves nine interim budget changes including $2.1 million airport appropriation and $1.175 million library donation

Boise City Council voted to approve nine interim budget changes covering airport capital, information technology, public safety training, library donations, affordable housing, fleet electrification, geothermal preparedness, and flood‑risk work.

“Good afternoon, council president, members of council. I have 9, interim budget changes for your consideration this afternoon,” Alicia McAndrews, the staff presenter, said when introducing the package. The council motion to approve was moved and seconded and passed unanimously by roll call.

Why it matters: The changes adjust appropriations or recognize revenue to allow projects and partnerships to proceed without drawing on general fund tax revenue. Major items include an airport appropriation increase for the airport master plan capital project, library donations moved to the capital fund for a First Floor remodel, development funding for a 212‑unit affordable housing project, and several public‑works items to support geothermal and flood mitigation work.

Key items approved

- Airport: An appropriation increase of $2,100,000 to complete the airport master plan capital project. City staff said the project will be funded entirely through Federal Aviation Administration grants and passenger facility charges (PFCs). (Staff presentation beginning 00:09:20.)

- IT/ADA website updates: A budget‑neutral sweep and reallocation of $110,000 from two completed IT projects to complete ADA website updates in advance of an April 2026 federal deadline; no new general fund dollars were requested. (00:09:54.)

- Fire training: Recognition of a $90,000 grant from the City of Meridian to reimburse Boise for technical rescue training delivered to valley partner agencies, including overtime and equipment costs. (00:09:54.)

- Library donations: Acceptance of $1,175,000 in donations to the heritage fund for the downtown library First Floor remodel. According to library staff, the gifts include $1,000,000 from the Friends of the Boise Public Library, $100,000 from the Boise Public Library Foundation (a bequest restricted to youth services), and $75,000 in individual donations; staff requested transfer of those donations to the capital fund for the remodel contract. Jessica (library) explained the Friends released the $1,000,000 in a single payment so the city could meet contractor requirements. (00:10:35; 00:14:39.)

- Dorado Station affordable housing: Approval to provide $9,900,000 in city funding to the Dorado Station project (located south of Fairview Avenue, between McKinney and Dorado streets). Staff said the development will add 212 affordable units targeted to households at or below 60% of area median income (AMI); funding is a mix of federal HOME funds, emergency rental assistance subgrants, and city housing funds. The city will lease the land below market rate for at least 75 years, and construction was described as set to begin later this month. (00:11:29.)

- Fleet electrification: $2,500 appropriation increase to finish installing two electric vehicle chargers at the Dorman Avenue fleet services facility to support fleet electrification goals. (00:12:11.)

- Geothermal: A $50,000 revenue‑neutral appropriation to use a Bloomberg Philanthropies Mayors Challenge grant for a study of equitable geothermal billing for multifamily housing; a one‑time $275,000 appropriation from the geothermal fund unobligated balance to create a strategic stockpile of HDPE pipe for emergency repairs; and a $42,000 sweep from completed geothermal projects to cover the stockpile. (00:12:11.)

- Flood and habitat grant: Recognition of $200,000 from the Idaho Department of Water Resources to support flood risk reduction and habitat improvement at Seven Suckers Ditch; the grant requires a 50% local match from the existing Enhance the River capital budget. (00:13:26.)

Council action and vote

A council member moved approval of the interim budget changes and a second was recorded. The clerk conducted a roll call; council members present voted in favor and the motion carried. The clerk recorded “All in favor motion carries.” (00:17:10–00:18:40.)

What council members asked

Members thanked donors and partner organizations and asked for follow‑up details on specific items (for example, a council member asked for location details on the Suckers Ditch project to follow up offline). Library staff confirmed the Friends released their donation in one payment to allow the city to meet the contractor’s payment requirements and complete the contract.

Limitations and next steps

Council approved the appropriations and recognitions described above. The Dorado Station project and several other items noted ongoing steps (lease terms, construction start dates, study timelines) that staff said would return as needed for contract awards or additional approvals.

Sources: Council meeting transcript (presentation by Alicia McAndrews and library staff; roll‑call vote).