The Mountain Home City Council heard public safety concerns, tabled a water and wastewater EDU appeal pending further information, authorized a golf-instruction fee split for hiring discussions, and approved submission of a grant application. Council members also questioned employee benefit costs and urged follow-up with the Idaho Transportation Department on intersection projects.

Discussion Points

•A speaker identified 5,000 gallons as one EDU; members discussed the EDU table and the 196.5-EDU assessment.
•A staff member said a percentage was needed before an employment offer could be prepared.
•A staff member said the city had emailed ITD with proposed meeting dates and had not received a reply.
•Councilman Harjo raised whether range-ball costs would reduce the professional’s effective share.
•Councilman McCarthy said a meeting with ITD and the design team was needed and described frustration with delays.
•Councilman McCarthy said the packet did not provide cost totals or indicate whether costs were increasing.
•Councilman McCarthy said the prior budget discussion had been to retain 100% of lesson revenue for the city this year and revisit the issue next year.
•Councilman Sanders said candidates treated lesson-fee sharing as important to recruitment and cited discussed splits from 60/40 to 80/20.
•Councilman Sanders said fairness of past applications remained an open question and urged an internal review.
•Councilman Sanders said Sept. 24 was the target date and funds needed to be obligated before the end of the fiscal year.
•McCarthy said Wendy Howell had previously identified a possible IDAPA waiver requirement for Airbase Road and Haskett.
•Members clarified that the city was submitting an application, not receiving a confirmed grant award.
•Members discussed possible indirect course revenue, including range balls and additional rounds.
•Members disputed how the EDU ordinance’s sections applied to the RV park appeal.
•Members said Clearwater was evaluating EDUs as part of a wider process, not specifically rewriting the table.
•Phoenix described vehicles passing while the family waited to cross and said the crossing lights were not flashing on a later day.
•Phoenix proposed a traffic signal or pedestrian hybrid beacon and improved visibility.
•Phoenix said business signs and a full parking lot obstructed the view of oncoming traffic.
•Staff said Delta Dental rose 2%, the city covers that portion, property costs rose slightly, and the city’s $1,000-per-employee contribution was unchanged.
•The application package was described as including lagoon design and environmental materials.
•The commenter expressed concern about a recent fatality; the meeting did not establish that lighting caused or could have prevented it.
•The commenter said street and park lighting was inadequate and raised pedestrian visibility concerns.
•The commenter suggested brighter or white lights, outdoor lights at homes and school safety education.
•The mayor and staff described dependent health-plan cost increases and a Regence credit of about $114,000.
•The mayor said city projects require ITD approvals, permits and funding; Councilman Harjo asked whether Ardera should be involved.
•The mayor said the item arrived that day and needed a signature by Sept. 30; the letter cited Sept. 24 as a countersignature target.

Decisions

•The consent agenda proceeded; Councilman McCarthy stated he would vote no. The transcript does not provide a full vote tally.
•The council approved a fee-sharing discussion cap of 80% to the professional and 20% to the city, seeking the lowest ratio agreeable to both sides.
•The council approved the mayor’s signature on the grant application letter.
•The council voted to table the appeal until additional information from Clearwater is available.

Directions

•The mayor and selected hiring committee were authorized to discuss fee-sharing with candidates within the approved cap.
•The mayor said the city would clarify the meeting status and follow up with Councilman McCarthy.
•The mayor was authorized to sign the application letter.

Sep

City of Mountain Home Council Meeting 09-08-2026

The Mountain Home City Council discussed emergency shelter agreements, water and wastewater billing for an RV resort, golf course operations and fees, a proposed e-bike ordinance, and other city matters. The council took several actions, including tabling a Verizon easement request and directing staff to return with updated utility-use calculations.

Discussion Points

•A council member raised the possibility of asking Verizon for payment for the easement.
•A council member referred to an email from a business expressing possible interest; the mayor said the email would be located and shared.
•A police representative said an officer had been assigned to develop training; members discussed an education-first approach to enforcement.
•Councilman Sanders raised liability, emergency-response and city-equipment concerns.
•Council members discussed the ordinance’s account-review provisions, consumption-based calculations, differences among estimated EDU counts, and possible review of the EDU table.
•Friedman disputed an increase from 29 to approximately 196 EDUs and said the resort’s expansion and added facilities should be accounted for.
•Harjo noted that tie-down fees are waived for operable Civil Air Patrol aircraft.
•Horvath raised concerns about public participation, communication, water conservation, data centers and surveillance cameras.
•McCarthy said he supported the Civil Air Patrol but opposed the proposed fees.
•Members disagreed about the value of preparing an RFP while the city’s current golf-course operating model continued.
•Members raised sidewalk and road-use concerns, helmet safety, public education and distinctions among e-bike and e-motorcycle types.
•Members said the request materials were difficult to understand and asked what a fall-zone easement would cover.
•One council member argued the tournament’s history, 180 projected players and 40 additional carts supported a one-time waiver; the member estimated $13,000-plus in cart rentals and an additional $880 fee.
•One member described an RFP as contingency planning and due diligence; others opposed outsourcing or did not intend to draft the RFP.
•Other council members argued that fee policy should be applied consistently and raised concern about preferential treatment.
•Sanders questioned the undefined duration of “a few hours,” the possibility of overnight use and the city’s ability to accommodate residents needing specialized care.
•Sanders said the matter was an administrative decision for the mayor; a legal adviser said the mayor was not bound by the council’s vote on that decision.
•Staff described public access as the goal and said anticipated volunteer maintenance was limited to raking and weed control; property demolition or renovation was not allowed.
•Staff described the facilities as temporary relocation points and said the Cottages would provide care staff.
•Staff said the approximate 55-EDU calculation used a stated monthly consumption figure that should be checked against official records.
•The mayor said camera purchases were not budgeted and the city was awaiting state legislation; the mayor also cited prior city discussions of data centers and water.

Decisions

•The council approved public access, conditional on proper signage being in place before opening.
•The council approved Resolution 24-2026R.
•The council approved the Discovery building agreement as a second location 3-1.
•The council approved the Parks and Recreation building agreement 3-1.
•The council tabled the request.
•The council voted unanimously to move forward with drafting an ordinance; it did not adopt an ordinance at this meeting.
•The first motion to deny the waiver failed on a 2-2 recorded vote.
•The matter was tabled until the next council meeting; no new billing amount was approved.
•The transcript says a later motion to deny was made and that a council member said the request had been denied, but the final tally is unclear.

Directions

•A Verizon representative was asked to attend and answer questions before the request returns.
•One council member said they would continue working on an evaluation plan and draft documents.
•Staff and police representatives were asked to prepare ordinance language for a later council review.
•Staff was asked to produce an average based on 24 months of usage records and bring a calculation back to the council.
•Staff was authorized to establish shared-use rules, signage and procedures.

Aug

City of Mountain Home Council Meeting 08-25-2026

The Mountain Home City Council heard public comments on flooding, public engagement and traffic cameras, then considered road, airport, parks, utility-study and golf-credit items. It approved a $62.85 million fiscal 2027 budget ordinance and several other actions.

Discussion Points

•A city representative said the airport manager favored propulsion-based fees and was away refueling a firefighting aircraft.
•A council member said state-level action might address the matter and local council could consider remaining gaps.
•A staff member clarified that the water-operator job posting was to replace an employee who resigned, not fill a position that was not funded.
•Corvis criticized notice and format, said online platforms did not allow public comments and urged face-to-face dialogue.
•Corvis urged council to consider a local policy and characterized the issue as controversial and constitutionally problematic.
•Council members approved a tentative fiscal 2027 budget and L2 levy certification before considering Ordinance 1824.
•McCarthy cited a Keller and Associates letter and asked that connection-fee studies be considered alongside rate studies.
•Members debated propulsion-based fees versus weight- or space-based approaches, staffing and limited tie-down capacity.
•Members debated the Dec. 31 expiration date, bookkeeping and tournament credits earned near fiscal year-end.
•Members discussed an engineered scope, detailed cost allowances and work city crews could perform.
•Members questioned core testing, repair depth, utility conflicts, undefined quantities and responsibility for extra costs.
•Nixon described recurring driveway flooding, the route of runoff and disagreement over the city’s sandbag response.
•Nixon said a Monday 9 a.m. town hall did not work for her.
•She said a prior statement about FEMA funding to fix the road had not come to pass, according to what she had since heard.
•Staff clarified that the budget assignment covered rate studies, while connection studies would have an additional cost.
•Staff clarified that the policy governs credits within the golf course system and did not determine whether tournament organizers can provide outside prizes.
•Staff described the existing bleachers as old and noncompliant and said they would be replaced on existing slabs.
•Staff estimated assembly would likely occur in winter.
•Staff said about $1,100 in credits was in the system.
•Staff said Clearwater Financial could help consider how connection fees relate to impact fees.

Decisions

•Council approved addendum No. 1 and addendum No. 2 in separate votes, each with four recorded ayes.
•Council approved Resolution 25-2026 R with four recorded ayes.
•Council approved the Parks Department purchase and allocation by four recorded ayes.
•Council approved the tentative FY 2027 budget, the L2 certification and Ordinance 1824 with four recorded ayes on each action.
•Council voted to reject all bids.

Directions

•A city representative said an engineering cost estimate would be brought to council before the revised request for proposals.
•Staff said a resolution, including a Civil Air Patrol waiver, would follow once council selected a charging method.
•The Mayor said connection-fee study proposals would return at the next meeting, identified in discussion as September.
•The policy was to be sent to the Golf Advisory Committee for feedback; possible edits could return to council.

Aug

City of Mountain Home Planning and Zoning Meeting 08-18-2026

The City of Mountain Home Planning and Zoning Commission and City Council held a joint discussion about possible data-center regulations, including water, power, land-use, fire-safety and decommissioning concerns. The meeting also approved a preliminary plat extension for Blue Yonder West and received an update on impact fees and development activity.

Discussion Points

•Officials discussed possible data-center and energy-storage definitions, zoning categories, water use, wastewater discharge, noise, power capacity, fire risk, technical studies and decommissioning.
•Participants disagreed over whether facility size, potential effects or both should guide regulation, and whether a blanket prohibition would capture facilities officials might want to allow.
•Staff reported the year-to-date education-unit count, compared it with the same point in the previous year and noted pending multifamily development.
•Staff said emergency medical services impact fees were being collected despite a few initial problems.
•Staff said infrastructure must be installed or bonded before final plat approval.
•Staff said the development plans and infrastructure, including plans for a sewer lift station, remained under review.

Decisions

•The commission approved a one-year extension of the Blue Yonder West preliminary plat.

Directions

•A participant proposed that the city attorney work with Brenda on draft definitions for data centers and energy-storage facilities and bring them back for discussion. The meeting did not record a formal assignment or vote.

Aug

City of Mountain Home Council Meeting 08-14-2026

County and City of Mountain Home representatives discussed the price and terms of a dispatch agreement, including competing cost estimates and the city’s already-adopted budget. No agreement or vote was reached; participants discussed returning to the issue after exchanging more information.

Discussion Points

•Participants debated whether the agreement funds a dispatch service or staffing, the proposed cost increase, fairness to city and county residents, call-volume information and budget constraints.
•Participants offered differing cost figures and increase proposals; the transcript does not reconcile the figures.

Decisions

•No motion or vote was taken, and no agreement was reached in the transcript.

Directions

•Participants discussed exchanging more information and potentially meeting again; no specific date or formal assignment was established.

Aug

City of Mountain Home Council Meeting 08-11-2026

The Mountain Home City Council heard public comments on recreation and pool fees, airport tie-down fees and license plate reader cameras, debated a street rehabilitation bid, and approved a modified pool-fee resolution. It tabled the street contract and directed staff to prepare a square-footage-based airport fee proposal for further discussion.

Discussion Points

•A council member described the city’s proposed dispatch-agreement terms and a different amount reportedly proposed by the county.
•A council member expressed interest in a fuller review of the pool season.
•Civil Air Patrol representatives described local services and requested continued waiver of tie-down fees.
•Council members debated turbine-based fees versus a structure tied to aircraft size or the space used.
•Council members discussed attending and recording the county commission meeting.
•Council members discussed pool costs, variable operating expenses, state revenue sharing and the relationship between user fees and general recreation funding.
•Members disputed whether the earlier council direction required a full contractor bid or allowed city in-kind work.
•Members questioned the treatment of soft spots, access points, traffic control, striping and utility valves in the bid.
•Namath argued that restrictions should address surveillance systems generally rather than a single brand and raised privacy concerns.
•Orvis echoed those concerns, made claims about tracking and an asserted federal designation, and asked for a town hall.
•Public commenters raised affordability, school scheduling, season length, instructor training and access concerns.
•The airport advisory committee member said the committee had not taken a formal position on the waiver and expressed a personal view that the fees were not burdensome.
•The discussed figures included a May project cost of $562,500 and a later bid figure of about $650,400; comparisons and scope were disputed.

Decisions

•Resolution 23-2026 was approved with public swimming, one-day pool passes and lap swimming kept at $2, and other fees left as proposed.
•The council approved reinstating the tie-down fee waiver for Civil Air Patrol aircraft.
•The council took no action that night on the proposed airport fee schedule.
•The proposed contract was tabled; no contract award or rejection was recorded.

Directions

•A council member asked that a method be established to record the meeting for YouTube; the mayor agreed.
•Obtain the bid documents and the research Councilman Sanders had procured for council review.
•Return the item as an action item at the next council meeting.
•Staff were asked to prepare a square-footage-based fee structure for discussion and possible public hearing.
•The chair said the city would publicly notice attendance by council members who could attend.

Jul

City of Mountain Home Council Meeting 07-28-2026 - 5:00 PM - Part 1

The Mountain Home City Council heard public comments and reports on transportation, considered county ambulance and opioid-settlement proposals, and took action on fire equipment and a golf course pump house. The transcript ends during discussion of an Idaho Power lease request, before its outcome is recorded.

Discussion Points

•A council member noted that two attachments showed varying costs and product outcomes.
•Chief Moore said the department viewed the engine as an immediate need and said impact fees could expire before a station project was ready.
•Corbis said the county sought to replace the existing district structure and submit a new district proposal to voters.
•Corvus asserted that data centers could produce noise, light pollution, emissions, water use and power-grid impacts.
•Corvus expressed privacy and misuse concerns about Flock cameras, including their potential placement and interagency data access.
•Councilman McCarthy asked whether impact fees should instead be saved for a fire substation.
•Councilman Sanders said he opposed the proposal but voted aye to allow voters to decide.
•Council members asked about local intersections, traffic and water for construction.
•Council members asked whether the CHEMS vehicle would transport patients, provide mobile intervention and be staffed by qualified professionals.
•Council members discussed the first-year fee, 5% increases, ILETS charges, payment timing and radio responsibility.
•Council members discussed whether to approve Idaho Power’s requested lease extension, seek a 5% increase and use a one-year term.
•Council members raised local road and pedestrian safety projects and asked ITD to clarify status and coordination.
•Council members sought call data, funding detail and the petition materials; the transcript records that a packet exhibit was blank.
•ITD described the project estimate, funding status, three-lane plan and the value-engineering recommendation for exit 95.
•Members discussed the original lease’s extension, payment and termination provisions.
•Officials said the county would supply staff and that city legal staff considered the proposed expenditure eligible under the cited strategies.
•The mayor described the engine’s capabilities and an approximate cost; the exact purchase price was not established.
•Tromboli described state transportation funding cuts, the effect on the District 3 project list and continued development planning.
•Tromboli described the draft state transportation program comment period.

Decisions

•The council approved $18,500 in construction funding from FY 2026 contingency.
•The council approved Resolution 22-2026R by a 4-0 vote.
•The council approved the contribution by a 4-0 vote.
•The council approved the engine request and the separate request for five breathing apparatus units, each by a 4-0 vote.
•The council approved version three of the agreement and authorized designated city officials to sign.

Directions

•Mayor Sykes said he had asked county staff to consult legal counsel about whether opioid funds could support ambulance transportation in the future.
•Tromboli agreed to arrange a working session with ITD staff and to share transportation planning documents.
•Tromboli said he would provide the public value-engineering study and forward the construction-water concern to the construction team.

Jul

City of Mountain Home Council Meeting 07-28-2026 - 5:00 PM - Part 2

The City of Mountain Home meeting addressed a lease extension request, waste collection contract renewal, payment processing fees, bulk water fees, a golf course management RFP and other city business. Council members approved some items, tabled the golf course item and discussed proposals that had no recorded final vote in the transcript.

Discussion Points

•A council member cited a year-over-year operating revenue increase of more than $74,000; another noted a prior-year transfer of $311,000 and a recently approved contingency fund exceeding $18,000.
•A council member proposed using a workshop to allow broader discussion without a formal action item.
•A councilwoman argued that customers who use electronic payment convenience should bear the fees, while staff said the hybrid option was recommended for consumer ease.
•A councilwoman was open to a 5% increase under two fee structures.
•Councilman Sanders noted that rates were staying the same for the year and thanked the city for completing additional station availability.
•Council members asked whether free or reduced rounds would alter an adopted fee structure and create a budget impact.
•Council members debated whether an RFP was a contingency plan or a replacement for the previously approved city-run model.
•Council members disagreed about whether the city had passed the 60-day notice deadline to terminate the lease.
•Members raised concerns about scoring, the driving range, bid response timelines, on-site questions, and differing compensation structures.
•Other council members preferred waiting for the water rate study, citing the risk of acting without supporting data and needing another hearing.
•Staff described the promotions as a limited trial through the end of September and said the mayor had authority to waive fees.
•Staff discussed ACH charges, the city’s lower utility rate, budget implications and an estimated $40,128.62 city cost under the alternative.
•Staff said the project team wanted to gauge council support before incurring costs for engineering contracts and studies.
•Staff said the relevant budget line had no allocation and that a shortfall could be offset with reserves.
•The mayor read the lease as allowing the lessee to extend for up to five additional years at $12,000 per year.

Decisions

•A motion to deny action item 4 was made and seconded, but no vote is recorded.
•Ordinance 1823 passed.
•The council approved Idaho Power’s extension request.
•The council approved option one, the full-submitter model.
•The council approved renewal of the waste collection services contract.
•The council tabled action item 8 while edits were prepared.

Directions

•Add citations to relevant Idaho Code to the agreement.
•Council members supported involving the Golf Advisory Committee in a workshop.
•Members were to submit edits to RFP drafts; staff suggested distributing trackable Word documents.
•Staff said the promotion would be used to collect data for a future fee structure proposal.
•The chair said he would provide an answer the next day about the water study timeline.
•The project team may return to speak and receive council direction.
•The three-reading rule was suspended and the ordinance was read by title only.

Jul

City of Mountain Home Planning and Zoning Meeting 07-21-2026

The commission discussed possible rules for data centers, including water use, wastewater, power, land use and how to define the facilities. It agreed to seek direction from the City Council before advancing a definition and reviewed updates to Development Impact Fee Advisory Committee reports.

Discussion Points

•Brenda asked whether commissioners preferred the full supporting documentation or a condensed spreadsheet for recurring impact-fee reports.
•Brenda reported that the packet showed people beginning to be sent to the county for EMS fees.
•Commissioners discussed whether to recommend a moratorium, how broadly to define data centers, and potential effects on water, wastewater, power, land use, noise, emergency services and economic development.
•Jeff said the city's code and the state planning act should guide what uses can be regulated and why.
•Members discussed seeking technical information about water supply and wastewater treatment capacity.
•The chair said supporting documents were helpful and could be reconsidered as members became more familiar with the process.

Decisions

•The commission approved minutes from June 16 and July 7.
•The commission did not adopt data center regulations or formally recommend a moratorium.

Directions

•Brenda said she would contact the mayor about pursuing a City Council discussion.
•Brenda said she would continue providing the existing report and supporting material.
•The chair asked members to send proposed definition language for future consideration; formal definition work was put on pause pending City Council direction.

Jul

City of Mountain Home Council Meeting 07-14-2026

The City of Mountain Home City Council considered golf fees, a water rate study, community golf donations and other city business. It approved the water study and a $1,675 golf donation budget, while tabling a golf course pump house request for more quotes.

Discussion Points

•Council members questioned why simulator fees were proposed when the city did not have an approved simulator.

Decisions

•Approved the miscellaneous golf fee resolution without the proposed simulator fees.

Jul

City of Mountain Home Planning and Zoning Meeting 07-07-2026

Presenters reviewed Idaho development impact-fee rules and the work involved in updating Mountain Home’s impact-fee study. Discussion covered preliminary growth assumptions, possible fee-schedule methods and why water and wastewater were not included in the current effort.

Discussion Points

•A participant asked whether wastewater could be added to the study.
•Colin and Jeff discussed wastewater capacity, funding alternatives and a legal case concerning fee structure.
•Colin presented preliminary growth assumptions and compared them with recent building activity.
•Participants asked about clinics, charter schools and fees for home additions.
•Participants considered how growth differences could affect fee amounts and capital-project timing.
•Participants discussed possible regional growth drivers, migration and uncertainty in population estimates.
•Participants discussed whether capacity improvements at a railroad crossing could qualify and noted that railroad approval may be required.
•The consultant discussed differentiating fee categories by land use and possible residential square-footage measures.
•The presenter described accounting, annual reporting, expenditure periods, refunds and fee appeals.
•The presenter described the advisory committee’s review and monitoring duties.
•The presenter distinguished growth-related capacity improvements from maintenance and existing deficiencies.

Decisions

•The current effort remains limited to police, fire, parks and streets, as described in the discussion; no new decision was made at this meeting.

Jun

City of Mountain Home Council Meeting 06-29-2026 - 9:00 AM - Part 1

The City of Mountain Home held a special council work session on June 29 to review budget proposals and operating priorities. Discussion included facility and parks planning, water infrastructure funding, tree replacement, golf course costs and economic development travel; the transcript ends during the economic development budget discussion.

Discussion Points

•Clearwater Financial had provided estimates of $119,000 for five facilities and $90,000 for the administrative facility alone.
•Council members disagreed over whether the vacant water operator position should remain funded.
•Council members discussed regional business recruitment, aerospace, advanced manufacturing, rail and workforce.
•Dale presented travel budget options of $12,000, $35,000 and $50,000 and described their possible uses.
•Estimated study costs ranged from $75,000 to $300,000 depending on scope.
•Members cited both operational demands and the need for accountability in allocation of water and wastewater staff time.
•Members compared a $1 and $2 police shift differential and asked whether it would affect overtime calculations.
•Members debated how to account for airport manager salary funding and future hangar revenue.
•Members debated whether to use funds associated with a vacant facilities maintenance position.
•Members discussed a $20,000 pump-house enclosure and the risk of damage to the irrigation equipment.
•Members discussed passing merchant fees to consumers and whether more information was needed.
•Members discussed removal costs, replacement costs and a phased approach.
•Members discussed total tree replacement funding of $50,000 across park and administration accounts.
•Members favored a competitive RFP.
•Members heard that ash borer and other diseases affect trees at multiple city locations.
•Members questioned the return on travel spending and reviewed current-year expenditures.
•Members reviewed golf course dues, travel, fertilizer, fungicide, fuel, oil and restaurant repair lines.
•Members supported including the golf course in planning.
•Staff clarified that salary-line funds could not simply be transferred to pay for a study.
•Staff said a public hearing and resolution would be required.

Decisions

•Council members expressed support for $2; no formal vote is recorded.
•Members discussed operating line amounts, but the transcript does not establish a formal budget adoption.
•Members expressed support for $100,000 as an initial amount; no formal vote or contract award is recorded.
•Members expressed support for a $100,000 starting amount; no formal vote is recorded.
•Members expressed support for protecting the pump and discussed FY26 contingency funding; no formal vote or authorization is recorded.
•Members expressed support for pursuing the water rate study and discussed an approximately $60,000 budget line for FY27.
•No amount was selected and no vote is recorded before the transcript ends.
•The chair reported three members in favor and one seeking more information; no formal vote or adoption is recorded.
•The discussion settled on a $50,000 combined tree-replacement funding target, with a $43,000 parks total and $7,000 in administration; no formal vote is recorded.
•The status and funding of the operator position remained unresolved; no formal vote is recorded.

Directions

•A council member asked staff to follow the city purchasing policy for pump-house work.
•A council member asked whether Dale could provide quarterly progress updates.
•Members discussed bringing the study proposal to the next council meeting and beginning work soon.
•Members said staff should prioritize trees based on risk and professional assessment.
•Staff said the initial $100,000 would be tracked in the administration budget.
•Staff said the study would bill over time rather than requiring the entire amount at the start.
•Staff said vendor information could be reviewed and the fee structure worked through before a possible Oct. 1 start.
•Staff was to pursue a competitive RFP, subject to the city’s purchasing process.

Jun

City of Mountain Home Council Meeting 06-29-2026 - 9:00 AM - Part 2

The City of Mountain Home council discussed proposed budget allocations for economic development, civic organizations and public transit. It approved the proposed budget with changes, leaving the water-operator salary and transit funding unresolved for later consideration.

Discussion Points

•A committee member urged raising senior services funding from $7,000 to $10,000, citing meal delivery and social contact for underserved residents.
•A council member said they would recuse themself from the arts item due to prior involvement with a venue exploratory committee.
•Members considered a $35,000 economic-development travel allocation and a separate budget line for tracking it.
•Members discussed civic support, arts-related and museum-support budget lines.
•Members discussed possible grant restrictions on fare collection, grant matching, the service’s value to riders, prior funding and rising operating costs.
•Members discussed reducing regional trips and the possibility of bringing an over-budget opportunity back for discussion.
•Members raised questions about organization documentation and restricted opioid funding.
•Other members said the organization had requested $7,000 and suggested requesting service-specific justification for a future increase.
•The proposed budget was reviewed with changes recorded on a change log.
•The water-operator salary and transit allocation remained unresolved.
•Treasure Valley Transit sought $52,000, an increase of $13,500 over $38,500, for two additional hours on its city route.

Decisions

•Members concluded the proposed allocation would remain at $7,000 in the budget discussion; no separate line-item vote is shown.
•The council approved the proposed budget provided June 29, 2026, with changes on the change log, excluding the water-operator salary and transit allocation from the items decided.
•The proposed budget motion left the Treasure Valley Transit allocation under line 90/30 undecided.

Directions

•Staff member said the updated change log would be emailed to council members.

Jun

City of Mountain Home Council Meeting 06-29-2026 - 1:30 PM

The City of Mountain Home council discussed a water department position and FY 2027 transit funding before approving a budget motion that kept the position on the books but unfunded and provided the transit authority’s requested funding.

Discussion Points

•A staff member explained that project-specific time is recorded on spreadsheets, not coded in the timekeeping system.
•Members cited access to food, health care and the senior center and discussed a federal matching component.
•Members debated whether the water department position should remain funded or be left on the books but unfunded, citing staffing coverage and the possibility of revisiting funding if conditions changed.
•Members discussed the transit request and noted unresolved questions about insurance and fuel costs.
•Members discussed Treasure Valley Transit's $52,000 local-match request and a stated $13,500 increase for two additional service hours.
•Members noted unresolved questions about fleet insurance, medical insurance, fuel and whether program income was allowed.

Decisions

•The council approved a motion leaving the open water department position on the books but unfunded for the next fiscal year and providing the transit authority's requested FY 2027 amount.
•The council approved the transit authority's requested FY 2027 funding as part of the budget motion.

Directions

•A committee member said they would share the response from ITD grant managers about program income when it arrived.

Jun

City of Mountain Home Council Meeting 06-25-2026 - 1:30 PM - Part 1

The Mountain Home City Council held a special budget meeting on June 25 to review golf operations, airport management and revenue, fiber, and water and wastewater budgets. Members discussed several proposed figures and requested additional information; the transcript records no formal votes.

Discussion Points

•A council member raised possible legal collection options, including liens or auction, as matters for legal research.
•Members compared club-rental counts and discussed a possible forecast of 100 rentals for each course length.
•Members considered placing a reserve in administration as a spending check.
•Members discussed paying down debt and planning for a fifth storage tank and a future well.
•Members discussed raising the gas and oil line to $30,000.
•Members discussed splitting fiber staff costs among departments based on work performed across city infrastructure.
•Members discussed uncertain supplier costs, seasonal purchasing, and how the city could fund restocking when shop revenue is unavailable during the same budget year.
•Members questioned employee compensation, fuel and hangar revenue, revenue timing and possible conflicts of interest.
•Members questioned the golf-ball unit-of-measure data and discussed green-fee projections, including $260,000.
•Members questioned whether an aircraft was paying tie-down fees and asked how daily and annual fee categories work.
•Staff described CivicPlus functions for field access, maintenance scheduling and work records.
•Staff estimated a water rate study could cost between $40,000 and $60,000.
•Staff proposed replacing the contracted airport manager arrangement with a city employee position.
•Staff provided building-permit, customer-count and subscription revenue projections; members questioned whether the assumptions were supported.
•Staff said large vehicle purchases had been removed from the proposed budgets.

Decisions

•Members settled on working figures of $20,000 for merchandise and $25,000 for an administrative reserve; the transcript records no formal vote.

Directions

•Members requested additional financial information and asked that the discussion return Monday.
•Staff said budget sheets would be updated to reflect salary allocation corrections.
•Staff was asked to provide a written fiscal explanation of reserve use for tank and well planning.
•The chair said a $60,000 water rate study figure was entered in the change log for consideration.
•The issue was to be referred to legal counsel for research; the airport item was to return Monday.

Jun

City of Mountain Home Council Meeting 06-25-2026 - 9:00 AM

The City of Mountain Home City Council held a budget work session on June 25, with extended discussion of the city golf course’s proposed FY27 staffing and operating budget. The council approved the proposed staffing and salary structure, with the golf professional designated as exempt and lesson revenue going to the city.

Discussion Points

•A council member asked whether reported URA savings associated with a Pioneer donation would need to be included in city budget planning.
•A speaker said the agency had previously identified other commitments within its district boundaries.
•Council members disagreed about the scope of inventory and asked to review historical sales data before settling on a budget.
•Council members discussed seasonal staffing and operational coverage.
•Council members discussed staffing needs, the golf professional's exempt status, lesson revenue and whether compensation should include an incentive.
•Council members discussed using city cash carryover for an early loan payoff and weighing possible interest savings against infrastructure needs.
•Council members raised concerns about tournament comparability, guest experience, pace of play, course maintenance and customer data.
•Members discussed separating recurring janitorial costs from equipment repair costs and potential emergency purchases.
•Participants considered training and certification costs, fertilizer and fungicide funding, fuel spending and restaurant repair needs.
•Staff clarified that the Idaho Power payment had become part of city cash carryover.
•Staff described tee-sheet management and a comparison of tournament operations in 2025 and 2026.
•Staff proposed $35,000 to $40,000 for merchandise and discussed the need for an inventory replenishment reserve.
•Staff said URA funding is separate from city funding and described the Marathon Cheese power infrastructure as a projected direct URA expense.

Decisions

•The council approved the proposed FY27 staffing and salary structure with the golf professional designated as exempt and all lesson revenue assigned to the city.

Directions

•A council member offered to bring historical 2022 pro shop sales information for review.
•Council members asked to revisit the question after the Public Works budget presentation.
•Staff said it could obtain more detailed tournament participation figures and provide historical sales information.
•Staff was asked to obtain and review historical restaurant repair and janitorial costs.
•Staff was asked to provide additional detail on training and certification costs.
•Staff was asked to provide additional sales information before the merchandise budget was finalized.
•Staff was asked to provide the golf professional job specification and related information in a memo.

Jun

City of Mountain Home Council Meeting 06-25-2026 - 1:30 PM - Part 2

The City of Mountain Home meeting included a presentation on utility rate setting and financing, followed by budget discussions about wastewater improvements, street projects, staffing, and a proposed payment kiosk. Participants raised questions and discussed options, but the transcript does not record formal votes on those subjects.

Discussion Points

•A participant asked whether lenders assess the actual use of rate revenue; the Presenter said lenders focus on debt-service capacity while also reviewing project plans.
•Participants asked how the project would proceed if the grant was not received and whether staff inspections raised liability concerns.
•Participants debated whether the water department fuel line should be increased from a reduced amount; no final figure is clear in the transcript.
•Participants proposed inviting ITD representatives for a council discussion about intersections and transportation planning.
•Participants questioned how department staffing changes relate to service levels and impact-fee calculations.
•Participants reviewed initial and ongoing costs, placement and weather protection.
•Staff clarified that the Department of Defense match was an expenditure rather than revenue and was expected to fall in the next fiscal year.
•Staff described after-hours utility payments and proof of payment for service reconnection as possible kiosk uses.
•Staff described scope reductions and preliminary cost information for Cell 10.
•Staff outlined current and future street projects and described an unresolved traffic signal request to ITD.
•Staff presented police-debt payoff as an option for consideration and said not paying it would not affect police services.
•Staff said city personnel would manage the project and conduct specified inspections, not perform construction.
•The presentation described revenue, expenses, reserves, debt coverage, rate histories and long-term capital planning.
•Tiffany said policy development would require council involvement.
•Tiffany said the department was continuously recruiting and described how funds were used for training, certifications and retention.

Directions

•A participant suggested that the incoming police chief could review staffing and impact-fee assumptions.

Jun

City of Mountain Home Council Meeting 06-24-2026 - 9:00 AM

Mountain Home officials reviewed preliminary FY2027 budget proposals, including employee compensation, grants, department requests, police vehicles and library staffing. The transcript records discussion and requests for follow-up, but no formal budget adoption or final votes.

Discussion Points

•Council members asked for a monetary cost breakdown; the discussion cited a little over $13 million for salaries and fringe across departments.
•Council members debated $80 or $100 per meeting for Planning and Zoning and impact-fee committee members.
•Council members discussed a possible new station to serve growth south or west of town and asked about the property allocation.
•Council members discussed keeping about $560,800 available for potential grant commitments and reallocating it if awards are not received.
•Council members questioned a $152,800 passport-revenue projection and considered adding a full-time position versus converting a part-time position.
•Council members raised the Sept. 30 contract expiration, the need for a backup plan and questions about what constitutes a non-emergency call.
•Council members raised whether overtime hours should also receive the differential and discussed the flat-rate method.
•Members discussed paying off existing debt early and the reported interest and annual savings.
•Members discussed whether planning application fees could help cover costs.
•One member opposed the higher rate while other members supported it, citing committee workload and added responsibilities.
•Staff presented a proposed 2.5% market adjustment and discussed a cost-of-living estimate that would make the combined proposed adjustment 5% based on the figures then presented.
•Staff said in-kind work was not believed to be eligible for the lagoon grant, while the Land and Water Conservation grant allows cash or in-kind match.
•Staff said the Wells 17/DSIP grant was awaiting final closeout documents from the Department of Defense.
•The chief said site exploration had occurred but no specific location was identified.
•The department described frequent breakdowns, repair costs and concerns about reliability of the existing fleet.
•The director described variable passport demand, workload limits, and turnover and training challenges.
•The fire chief described the proposed budget as continuing the department’s 2020 plan and discussed training, gear and vehicle spending.
•The library director requested another full-time employee in light of added services and passport demand.
•The police department requested a $1-per-hour night-shift differential, estimating about $22,000 in salary costs and $810 in holiday costs.
•The police department requested a lease-purchase plan for eight vehicles: six marked and two unmarked.
•The proposed allocation was described as $90,000 for dispatch services and $10,000 for E-911-related usage.

Directions

•A staff member said she would work with Daniel to determine how the overtime calculation should be handled.
•Council members expressed support for getting the issue on the county commissioners’ agenda.
•Staff said council members could use the salary worksheets to review the costs.
•Staff said grant application materials and requirements would be provided to the council as they became available.
•Staff said it could bring the relevant ordinance and planning-related fees back for a future council discussion.

Jun

City of Mountain Home Council Meeting 06-24-2026 - 1:30 PM

The City of Mountain Home held a budget work session covering parks and recreation, a possible facilities plan, economic development, cybersecurity, sanitation and administrative costs. The transcript ends during discussion of civic-group funding and public transit; it records no final budget adoption or vote on the matters covered.

Discussion Points

•A $300,000 budget and an estimated cost of about $230,000 to $240,000 were discussed.
•A possible site is city-owned land near the large dog park off 14th.
•Citywide merchant-service fees exceeded the budgeted amount by about $9,000 as of May 30; staff projected a possible $20,000 year-end overrun.
•Council members asked about effectiveness, cost and sequencing; staff said third-party testing could be delayed to fiscal year 2028.
•Council members debated fare collection, grant effects and the value of free rides for people who need transportation.
•Council members debated whether card-processing costs should be passed to customers.
•Council members discussed potential changes to pool and program fees, including affordability.
•Council members questioned the size of the proposed increase and examined prior-year spending.
•Designs were expected to precede bidding and construction was discussed for July and August.
•Members discussed keeping Civic Plus agenda management and a separate searchable public-records platform.
•No construction cost, donor commitment or final budget was established.
•Possible plan scope included water conservation, amenities, public engagement and a long-term horizon.
•Staff cited design estimates of $100,000 to $150,000, while another staff member recalled an earlier $50,000 estimate for changes.
•Staff described a preference for a shorter agreement than a 10-year contract.
•Staff described Discovery Preschool’s 75%-25% revenue split and city-property use.
•Staff described potential changes to maintenance of drainage retention areas.
•Staff identified recycling, yard-waste diversion and hazardous-waste collection as potential contract priorities.
•Staff said it would seek legal guidance about possible requirements for a fee.
•St. Luke’s could reclaim the current recreation building, but the timing remains uncertain.
•Swimming lesson income and other recreation revenue forecasts were compared with reported year-to-date revenue.
•The city had no established estimate of its negotiating leverage or final service costs.
•The director agreed to return with a prioritized, revised request.
•The director described regional outreach, organizational memberships and travel as economic development tools.
•The estimate included indoor and outdoor restroom facilities.
•The IT manager described requested security software and services, including a Microsoft license upgrade and password manager.
•The manager reported a roughly 3% click rate in phishing tests and an estimated 4%-5% comparison rate for similar municipalities.
•The requested public-transit funding was described as increasing from $38,500 to about $52,000.
•The transcript ends before an outcome.
•Whether to commission a parks-only plan or a comprehensive facilities review.

Directions

•A council member asked the director to return with a revised figure and priorities.
•Staff may return with prioritization and further budget details; no formal direction or vote is recorded.
•Staff said it could place a discussion with Republic Services representatives on a future agenda if needed.
•Staff said it could place a planning amount under professional services and include parks in the scope, pending further information.
•Staff said it would return with options and legal guidance on potential payment fees.

Jun

City of Mountain Home Council Meeting 06-23-2026

The Mountain Home City Council heard a visitor center funding presentation, received legal training on development impact fees, considered infrastructure and water concerns, and took action on city code, engineering, golf fees and water rates. A proposal to change hydrant-meter rules was sent for further work.

Discussion Points

•Accord cited an estimate of $26 million to $32 million in annual direct visitor spending in Elmore County and described the center’s role in tourism outreach.
•A council member asked who must request a refund when a development does not proceed.
•A council member asked why the six-month limit had been included; Schroeder said he did not know the original reason.
•A public commenter alleged that a contractor identified as Mr. Keller had overcharged the city, while expressing uncertainty whether it was the same person paid since the 1990s.
•Blankenship described recurring storm-drain backups near a medical clinic and said city cleaning had not resolved them.
•Brooks asked for a local document expressing city support for preservation of the Rockwell structure.
•Brooks said she wanted assurance that the structure would remain after project work.
•Corvis called for a water-conservation committee and raised concerns about growth and water supply.
•Council members differed on whether to focus on fiscal 2027 or include near-term options for the damaged course.
•Council members discussed whether the charge might be eligible for project contingency or Urban Renewal Agency funding.
•Council members questioned enforcement, mobility of meters, exceptions for projects and the fairness of selecting which users could receive water.
•Harjo proposed increasing the bulk rate to $50 per 1,000 gallons, with a higher tier of $70 per 1,000 gallons above 50,000 gallons per month, and described the increase as 736%.
•Harjo proposed recording the hydrant, intended use and destination for metered water and allowing the city to deny some requests.
•Hobbs reported a 70-foot water-level drop over 10 years at wells he managed and raised water-quality concerns.
•Legal counsel suggested a proclamation as a possible alternative to a resolution.
•McCarthy said he was voting against the task orders because of earlier concerns; the details of those concerns were not restated.
•Members debated whether household increases should be included and raised a possible 18th well and water-rate study.
•Members disputed the comparison between bulk and residential rates and requested analysis using equal volumes and residential tier charges.
•Sanders said the simulator fee proposal had not been presented to the council and that the hearing did not concern daily rates.
•Schroeder explained impact-fee eligibility, proportionality, planning, accounting, refund and appeal requirements.
•Schroeder said accessory dwelling units are not exempt from impact fees.
•Schroeder said the city could establish conditions for use but should ensure bulk users do not shift system costs to existing customers.
•Schroeder said the city had an obligation to cover system costs and discussed the need for a full comparison of fixed and variable charges.
•Schroeder said the six-month restriction resulted from a misinterpretation of state law.
•Staff described the existing application process, deposits, meter use and challenges tracking users’ changing locations.
•Staff said choices about operations could affect expected golf-course revenues.
•Staff said rented equipment was necessary because city equipment could not trench to the required depth or lift the concrete tanks.
•Staff said the golf-course operations plan was not ready and asked whether planning should cover fiscal 2026 or fiscal 2027.
•The commenter raised concerns about city water use, lagoon capacity, development affordability and irrigation canals.
•The council noted the matter had been moved from the previous agenda after a procedural issue.
•The mayor later said the city was not at 85% capacity.
•The mayor later said the city was not at 85% capacity, without specifying which system or measure.
•The mayor stated the statutory basis and purpose for the executive session.
•Workella questioned whether outsourced equipment rental qualified as in-kind city work and said the cost had not been in the list she reviewed.

Decisions

•The council approved amendment No. 9 and task orders 10, 11, 12 and 32 by a 3-1 vote.
•The council approved setting a July 14, 2026, public hearing on miscellaneous golf fees.
•The council approved the amended resolution for public hearing by a vote recorded as four ayes.
•The council approved the bill run while excluding Coastline Equipment bill No. 305 for $7,095.25.
•The council approved the findings of fact and Planning and Zoning Commission recommendation to adopt the code amendment by a vote recorded as four ayes.
•The council voted to enter executive session, with four ayes recorded.

Directions

•Schroeder said he would provide training to Planning and Zoning and the impact-fee advisory committee on July 7.
•The draft was to be sent through legal counsel for council edits and additional review.
•The mayor encouraged Brooks to continue working with city staff and mentioned possible grant assistance.
•The mayor said the item would be pulled for Thursday.
•The resolution was to proceed to public hearing with paragraphs A and C retaining existing rates and paragraph B left as presented.

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