Craig Rayborn, executive director of Compass, told the Nampa City Council on Nov. 30 that the Treasure Valley is growing rapidly and that the region faces a multi-billion-dollar shortfall in transportation funding. “As a region as a whole, we’re attracting 15 new households on average every day and then 16 new jobs on average every day,” Rayborn said, citing the data Compass consolidates from member jurisdictions.

Rayborn said the regional long-range plan Communities in Motion and a recently adopted regional safety action plan identify priorities including improving safety, supporting regional economic vitality, enhancing quality of life and maintaining mobility. He said the plan includes a portfolio of projects — from maintenance and pathway investments to eventual roadway expansions — but that currently funded projects leave an approximate $5.5 billion gap. “When you take that on an annual basis, it’s about a $193 million a year shortfall,” Rayborn said.

Rayborn described Compass’s role as a metropolitan planning organization that consolidates local data, helps identify funding, distributes federal transportation dollars that flow through MPO processes, and provides technical assistance to member agencies. He said Compass does not have regulatory authority over local projects and that project implementation remains the responsibility of local agencies and project sponsors.

Council members asked how Compass will press for more revenue. Rayborn said Compass’s board adopted 2026 legislative priorities that include addressing transportation revenue and exploring ways growth can help fund needed infrastructure. He said Valley transit authority (referred to in the session as VRT) sits on the Compass board and is likely to take the operational lead on detailed transit proposals, while Compass will support legislative work and coordination across jurisdictions.

Rayborn also told the council Compass is exploring rail connections and broader regional corridors that could unlock new federal funding opportunities if the system meets thresholds for longer-distance service. He urged local officials to consider the location of jobs and housing in long-term planning: “Everything starts to fill in … we really are turning into one big connected region,” he said.

The presentation included Q&A with council members about bus routing, transit transfer points, and coordination between development and transit planning. Rayborn said Compass would continue technical work, subregional plans and a planned resilience study to prepare the system for events that increase congestion.

The council thanked Rayborn for the briefing and materials; Rayborn noted the full presentation and supporting PDF were included in the council packet.