Rexburg council sets FY2025 budget hearing, approves sewer contract and multiple appointments

Rexburg City Council met on June 5, 2024, and took a series of administrative and capital-project actions ahead of the summer construction season.

The council set a public hearing on the tentative fiscal year 2025 budget for July 17, 2024, at 6:30 p.m. The move followed about an hour and a half of earlier budget work; a council member moved to approve the tentative budget subject to insurance-related adjustments that staff said would be incorporated before the hearing.

The meeting included two contract awards recommended by Public Works. Public works official Keith Davidson said American Pavement Preservation submitted the low bid for a townwide slurry-seal project at $156,310, and staff recommended awarding that contract. "American Pavement was our low bid at $156,310," Davidson said. The council approved the award by voice vote.

Davidson also presented bids for the Sunrise Drive Sewer Project, which will reroute sewer flow toward the Southwest station and tie into the existing line near 5th West. Edstrom Construction was the low bidder at $372,263; the council approved awarding the contract. Davidson warned residents that equipment on site may prompt rumors about road closures and said staff will communicate construction timing as work begins. Council members also asked about pedestrian safety and striping after recent road work; Davidson said striping and crosswalk painting are scheduled to begin soon as weather allows.

During a public hearing, staff displayed GIS maps and parcel-split documents for about 245 Rodney Drive and asked the council to declare the two lots available for sale. Staff said a local realtor would market the parcels and noted existing sewer easements and a public-park requirement tied to the property. After questions about easements and estimated values (staff said the south lot was estimated about $10,000–$15,000 less than the north lot), the council voted to declare the property available for sale.

On land use, the council considered Ordinance No. 1315 on second reading to rezone parcels at roughly 15 and 19 Sawtell Avenue from Mixed Use to Community Business Center (CBC). Staff and council members discussed the practical differences between the zones — notably that Mixed Use generally requires a residential component (10% or 1,000 square feet), while CBC does not allow residential — and parking challenges that make mixed-use development difficult on those highway-fronting lots. The council approved the second reading by voice vote.

Mayor's business included several appointments. The council ratified JC Weber to the Rexburg Urban Renewal Agency board and unanimously ratified a slate of appointees to the city’s American Disabilities Act advisory board: Elizabeth Harrington, Daniel Harrington, Natalie Clark, Alexandria Wyrick, Nevia Bright and Lara Rawson. The mayor also presented a service plaque to Mike Glasscock for his work on the urban renewal board and noted Rexburg received a 16th consecutive Tree City USA designation.

During public comment, resident Thomas Atkinson asked the council to add traffic control at the intersection of South 3rd West and West 4th South, saying pedestrian and vehicle patterns had become dangerous. City staff said an intern is conducting a traffic count at the intersection and that the city will review that data before making decisions.

The council approved the consent calendar — including minutes from May 15, 2024, fireworks-stand permits and payment of city bills — and adjourned after a short discussion of upcoming community events.

Votes at a glance - Agenda amended to add Sunrise Drive Sewer Project (voice vote): approved. - Declaration of sale for municipal property at 245 Rodney Drive (motion by Mister Murray; second by Council member Johnson): approved by voice vote. - Tentative FY2025 budget: set public hearing for July 17, 2024 at 6:30 p.m. (moved and seconded): approved. - Award slurry-seal contract to American Pavement Preservation ($156,310): approved. - Award Sunrise Drive Sewer Project to Edstrom Construction ($372,263): approved. - Ratify JC Weber to Rexburg Urban Renewal Agency: approved. - Ratify ADA advisory board appointments (Elizabeth Harrington, Daniel Harrington, Natalie Clark, Alexandria Wyrick, Nevia Bright, Lara Rawson): approved unanimously. - Ordinance No. 1315, second reading (Sawtell Avenue rezoning from Mixed Use to Community Business Center): approved on second reading. - Consent calendar (minutes, fireworks permits, bills): approved.

What’s next The council will take public testimony on the FY2025 tentative budget at the July 17 hearing. Work on the Sunrise Drive sewer project and slurry-seal streets is expected to begin as contractors mobilize this summer; staff said they will notify residents about timing and temporary traffic impacts.