Harrison council raises Local Option Tax, schedules workshop; awards $899,720 lift-station contract and requires inspector insurance

The Harrison City Council voted unanimously on May 12 to increase the city's Local Option Tax rate and to hold a community workshop on the change on June 2, 2026 at 6:00 p.m. at the Harrison Senior Center, the minutes show. Will Butler moved the measure and Charlie Shutt seconded; all six councilmembers recorded aye votes.

The tax vote came alongside several other actions. The council approved a contract with DW Excavating Inc. for construction of the Central Lift Station in the amount of $899,720. John Gray moved the contract approval; Charlie Shutt seconded and the motion carried unanimously. The council also approved a purchase of a diving board for the swim area, with the minutes recording that the purchase will use Local Option Tax funds.

Council members also addressed code changes and scheduling. On a motion by Will Butler, the council approved removing listed subsections in Harrison City Code Title 10, Chapter 1 (Subdivision); the minutes list the subsections to remove as "D #1-6 and #," and the council voted unanimously to adopt the change. Two items were tabled for further work: an amendment to Harrison City Code § 3-2-4 (Open Burning) and approval of the City of Harrison zoning map.

During reports, Mayor Wanda Irish said the FY25 audit is expected to be completed next week and that Christina from Alpine Summit will present the audit. The mayor said the city received a check from its insurer, ICRMP, to fund replacement of the gym floor and that FEMA has declared the December windstorm an emergency, allowing the city to seek reimbursement of associated costs. She also reported significant roof damage at the Wastewater Treatment Plant and an increase in public records requests that is taxing staff time. Public Works representative Josh Burg reviewed departmental projects including trailhead signs, the new swim dock and emergency-preparedness work. City Clerk/Treasurer Miriah Pfeiffer said monthly checklists were completed and that P&L statements will be distributed; she also noted Harrison Explorers 4H will assist with cemetery cleanup on May 17 ahead of Memorial Day.

The council held an executive session under Idaho Code 74-206(1)(f) to consult with legal counsel about an agenda item involving the Building Inspector. After returning to open session, Will Butler moved "to deny the Building Inspector's letter of understanding regarding liability for legal costs and to require the Building Inspector to obtain errors and omissions insurance," a motion seconded by TJ Byrne that passed unanimously.

The meeting adjourned at 8:45 p.m. The council noted upcoming committee meetings, including an Administration Committee meeting on May 27 and a Public Works Committee meeting on June 2; the community workshop on the Local Option Tax is scheduled for June 2 at 6:00 p.m. at the Harrison Senior Center.

Votes at a glance: Will Butler moved and Josephine Prophet seconded approval of the consent calendar (payment of April bills; April 14 minutes) — recorded: 6 AYE, approved. Will Butler moved and Charlie Shutt seconded the Local Option Tax increase and workshop scheduling — recorded: 6 AYE, approved. Will Butler moved and TJ Byrne seconded removing subsections in Title 10 Chapter 1 (Subdivision) — recorded: 6 AYE, approved. John Gray moved and Charlie Shutt seconded approval of DW Excavating Inc. for the Central Lift Station ($899,720) — recorded: 6 AYE, approved. Charlie Shutt moved and Will Butler seconded tabling the zoning map — recorded: 6 AYE, tabled. Will Butler moved and Charlie Shutt seconded purchasing a diving board using Local Option Tax funds — recorded: 6 AYE, approved. Will Butler moved and Charlie Shutt seconded tabling the Open Burning code amendment — recorded: 6 AYE, tabled. After executive session, Will Butler moved (seconded by TJ Byrne) to deny the Building Inspector's proposed letter and require errors-and-omissions insurance — recorded: 6 AYE, approved.