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Public raises legal concerns over Rexburg police bond outreach as council advances ordinance
Summary
A resident told the Rexburg City Council the city's outreach about a proposed police facility bond crosses the line into unlawful advocacy; police and staff say they are providing educational materials and holding town halls. Council advanced the bond ordinance to a third reading for the May 19, 2026 election.
A Rexburg resident told city leaders at the March 4 council meeting that the city’s outreach around a proposed police facility bond appears to go beyond neutral education and into unlawful advocacy under Idaho law.
"The law is clear. Public meetings, funds, efforts, and outreach cannot be used to advocate for a yes vote," Jason, who identified himself from 839 Engleman Street during public comment, told the council. He listed five practices he said amounted to persuasion — targeting a so-called "movable middle," timing the election to increase support, outreach tactics intended to sway voters, framing reduced bond amounts to attract support and using information to "mitigate" tax concerns.
City police leaders and staff responded in the council meeting by describing an informational program they say is intended to increase transparency and answer public questions. "Our first focus was to get all the correct information out for the public so we have that full transparency of where we're at," said Chief Josh Road, summarizing the department's effort to post updated materials, FAQs and a tax-impact calculator on the project website and to hold town halls and station tours.
Chief Road and Assistant Chief Gary Hagen told the council they have met weekly with consultant Portman Square and city staff to review survey results, refine the proposed design and provide factual context such as response-time comparisons between the current station and the proposed Pioneer Road site. They said some survey and turnout metrics are being used to encourage broader public participation in the process, not to push a specific outcome.
Council also heard that Portman Square reduced its invoiced fees and is assisting the city with rapid responses to frequently asked questions. Officials said they will publish dates for the first town hall (scheduled before the next council meeting) and three station tours.
Separately, the council advanced ordinance 1343 — the Rexburg Police Facility Bond Election Ordinance — through its third reading process to place a bond question on the May 19, 2026 ballot. The council moved and seconded consideration of the third reading during the meeting and voted to proceed. Council members did not record a detailed roll-call tally in the public portion of the transcript.
City officials said they will refer the public complaint about potential advocacy to legal counsel for review. The council also scheduled outreach including town halls and public tours to ensure residents can review materials and ask questions before the election.
The next procedural step for the bond is the council's formal action following the third-reading consideration and any additional legal guidance; town-hall dates and further informational posts will be published on the city's project page, staff said.
