City Council
Regular MeetingIdaho Falls, ID · August 20, 2020
Minutes
August 20, 2020 City Council Meeting
The City Council of the City of Idaho Falls met in Special Council Meeting, Thursday, August 20, 2020, in the
Council Chambers in the City Annex Building located at 680 Park Avenue in Idaho Falls, Idaho at 7:30 p.m.
Call to Order:
There were present:
Mayor Rebecca L. Noah Casper
Council President Michelle Ziel-Dingman (via WebEx)
Councilor John Radford (via WebEx)
Councilor Jim Freeman (via WebEx)
Councilor Jim Francis
Councilor Shelly Smede
Absent:
Councilor Thomas Hally
Also present:
All available Department Directors
Randy Fife, City Attorney
Kathy Hampton, City Clerk
Pledge of Allegiance:
Mayor Casper led those present in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Public Comment:
Mayor Casper requested any public comment not related to items currently listed on the agenda or not related to a
pending matter. No one appeared.
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update:
Mayor Casper stated there were 424 new cases in the State, this puts the number of total State-wide cases to more
than 29,000. There were also seven (7) additional deaths. Bonneville County had 56 new cases with one (1)
additional death. The Eastern Idaho Public Health (EIPH) Board has recently changed the order, these changes can
be found on the EIPH website. Mayor Casper noted there is a strong desire for schools to open across the State as
Governor Brad Little has acknowledged that opening schools is the key to keeping the economy growing. The best
way for schools to open, and to remain open, and for students to stay safe and healthy, is for all individuals to
follow the masking order when social distancing cannot be maintained, wash hands more often than normal,
sanitize often, and refrain from unnecessary travel.
Regular Agenda:
Municipal Services
Subject: Public Hearing – Tentative 2020/21 Fiscal Year Budget
Mayor Casper stated in the State of Idaho, one (1) of the City Council’s primary responsibility is to establish and
adopt a budget. This responsibility is not entrusted to the mayor, the mayor is in charge of administering the
programs that the budget funds. Mayor Casper believes the City Council takes this responsibility seriously. She
stated as the City grows, the budget process becomes more demanding. She recognized the finance team, including
Municipal Services Director Pamela Alexander, City Controller Mark Hagedorn, and City Treasurer Josh Roos.
The finance team is also aided by a small group of accountants. Mayor Casper stated the finance team easily puts in
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August 20, 2020 City Council Meeting
hundreds of staff hours during the budget season. This is in addition to the many hours the Council puts in. The
budget is a multi-month, multi-phase process which begins in March and ends around September. The budget is
managed by a great deal of money, by good services, and by numerous utility accounts. The City has the largest
publically-owned power utility in the State, the second busiest Airport in the State, the fourth largest Police
Department in the State, a well-respected Fire Department, and hundreds of acres of park lands. Mayor Casper
believes all these things are incredibly worthwhile that the City residents can be proud of. She noted Idaho Falls has
been recognized as the most resilient State in a recent magazine article. She stated she is privileged to work with the
Council, the staff, and she hopes individuals will see the value in the budget.
Mayor Casper opened the public hearing and ordered all items presented be entered into the record. She explained
the process for the public hearing process.
Director Alexander believes this was a robust, fast-moving budget season. She then presented the following:
2020/21 Budget Process
2020/21 budget calendar and revisions were posted on the City’s website
Mayor, City Council, and Department Directors Budget Workshop on April 3
All budget sessions were publically noticed
Department budget presentations posted on the City’s website
Proposed budget was published in the Post Register as required by State of Idaho Statute
2020/21 Proposed Budget Overview
Total not-to-exceed budget of $282,544,816
Total estimated property tax revenue of $38.4M, includes:
o New Annexations - $ 378,302
o New Construction - $1,043,539
Does not include a 3% statutory property tax levy
o Whole dollar value of $1.1M
o Notice, resolution, and public hearing to reserve the 2020/21 Fiscal Year statutory property tax
levy to forgone for future years
2020/21 Proposed Budget Overview
Governor Little Public Safety Tax Relief Program
Residential Commercial
2019 value $ 150,000 $ 200,000 $ 250,000 $ 300,000 $ 350,000 $ 500,000 $ 2,000,000 $ 10,000,000
2020 value $ 169,500 $ 226,000 $ 282,500 $ 339,000 $ 395,500 $ 565,000 $ 2,260,000 $ 11,300,000
2019 Current $ 659.68 $ 879.57 $ 1,319.36 $ 1,759.15 $ 2,198.93 $ 4,397.87 $ 17,591.47 $ 87,957.34
2020 Growth $ 684.22 $ 1,017.24 $ 1,473.39 $ 1,929.53 $ 2,385.67 $ 4,561.44 $ 18,245.76 $ 91,228.78
Total Tax Relief Credit $ (125.31) $ (186.30) $ (269.83) $ (353.37) $ (436.91) $ (835.38) $ (3,341.51) $ (16,707.57)
Net $ 558.91 $ 830.94 $ 1,203.55 $ 1,576.16 $ 1,948.76 $ 3,726.06 $ 14,904.24 $ 74,521.21
Change $ (100.77) $ (48.63) $ (115.81) $ (182.99) $ (250.17) $ (671.81) $ (2,687.23) $ (13,436.13)
***Total Tax Relief Credits are estimates***
Director Alexander noted the City does not conduct valuations on property, this occurs at the County level
2020/21 Funded Priorities (New Annexation, New Construction and General Fund Department Budget Reductions)
Contribution for new Police Complex $1,000,000
Replacement of Dehydration System at the Aquatics Center $1,018,000
Contribution to Airport operations (due to COVID) $ 545,426
Contribution to City Employee Health Plan $ 335,262
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Contribution for future Redevelopment Activity $ 200,000
Funding of one (1) mid-year Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) Officer for Police Department $ 40,000
Contribution to Funland renovation for Parks and Recreation (P&R) $ 39,000
Total $3,177,688
Contingency Funds
Budget capacity for new Police Complex $30,000,000
Budget capacity for potential Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES)
Grant requests $ 7,000,000
Budget capacity for ongoing construction projects $ 3,000,000
2019/20 carryover funds for obligated 2019/20 Fiscal Year contracts $ 3,000,000
Total $43,000,000
2020/21 General and Government Funds Revenue
Total = $89,727,231 – 55% is from General Fund
2020/21 General and Government Funds Budget
Total = $139,556,527 – 49% of total proposed budget
2020/21 Proposed Fiscal Year Budget (General Fund)
Total = $50,322,082 – Public Safety - 59%, P&R - 17%, combined total - 76%
Director Alexander noted Police, Fire, and P&R are historically the most funded departments in the General Fund.
2020/21 Proposed Fiscal Year Budget (Government Funds)
Total = $89,234,445
2020/21 Enterprise Funds Revenue
Total = $126,267,690 – 64% is Idaho Falls Power
2020/21 Enterprise Funds Budget
Total = $142,988,289 – 51% of Total Proposed Budget
2020/21 Proposed Fiscal Year Budget (Enterprise Funds)
Idaho Falls Airport
o Airport facility expansion grant projects
Idaho Falls Power
o Electric infrastructure and replacement
o Fiber expansion and maintenance
Public Works
o Capital improvement for street, bridge, and traffic light
o Water and wastewater infrastructure projects
o Sanitation capital equipment
Director Alexander expressed her appreciation to the elected officials, the department directors, the finance team,
and various Municipal Services staff.
Mayor Casper requested public testimony via WebEx.
Brian Stutzman appeared via WebEx. Mr. Stutzman stated he has four (4) homes and a business in Idaho Falls and
he pays tens of thousands of dollars in property taxes. He expressed his appreciation for the City taking the
governors’ money to help with property tax relief. He requested the City not take the forgone this year or in future
years as this would have a future ripple effort for the taxpayers. Mr. Stutzman believes the $43M contingency fund
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amount is mind-boggling, he is not sure this should be in the budget. He also believes the Law Enforcement
Complex (LEC) is a good thing although he believes this project should go toward the people as a vote for a bond,
not a Certificate of Participation (COP). He believes a bond would pass and the City residents would appreciate the
opportunity for a stamp of approval. He doesn’t believe the people should be side-stepped. Mr. Stutzman believes
the construction of the LEC would be better with the design bid build and a guaranteed price up front, as a design
bid build would take the risk of prices, versus a construction manager. He indicated he would volunteer his
expertise if needed. Mr. Stutzman reiterated to give up the forgone and put the LEC up for a vote with a design bid
build.
Mayor Casper noted one (1) of the stipulations for taking the governor’s tax relief program was the City would not
take forgone in the current year.
Seeing no additional individuals to offer testimony, Mayor Casper closed the public hearing.
Mayor Casper stated a follow-up budget discussion will occur on August 21 with final approval of the budget to
occur on August 27. Additional budget discussions could occur as needed prior to August 27.
Announcements:
Mayor Casper announced Idaho County Risk Management Program (ICRMP) indicated the Police Department has
earned a discount in its liability coverage due to rigorous training standards.
Adjournment:
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:06 p.m.
s/ Kathy Hampton s/ Rebecca L. Noah Casper
Kathy Hampton, City Clerk Rebecca L. Noah Casper, Mayor
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Agenda
CITY COUNCIL MEETING
Thursday, August 20, 2020
7:30 p.m.
CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS
680 Park Avenue
Idaho Falls, ID 83402
Thank you for your interest in City Government. In compliance with the Idaho Rebounds Stage 4 guidelines which discourage
public gatherings, the City of Idaho Falls hereby provides reasonable means for citizens to participate in the above-noticed
meeting. The City believes strongly in public participation and has therefore identified the following ways to participate in this
meeting:
General Meeting Participation.
1. Livestream on the Internet. The public may view the meeting at www.idahofallsidaho.gov. Meetings are also
archived for later viewing on the City’s website.
2. Email. Public comments may be shared with the Mayor and members of the City Council via email at any time.
Electronic addresses for elected officials are located at https://www.idahofallsidaho.gov/398/City-Council.
3. In-person attendance. The public may view the meeting from the Council Chambers, or, if the Chambers are full,
via livestream in a nearby room. To comply with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) social
distancing guidelines, appropriate seating will be provided in the Council Chambers and in a nearby overflow
room. Such seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Citizens are required to wear face masks for
the protection of others.
Official Public Hearing Participation. Members of the public wishing to participate in a public hearing noticed on this agenda
may do so. Public testimony on an agenda item will be taken only for public hearings indicated on this agenda. Please note
that not all meeting agenda items include a public hearing or the opportunity for public comment.
1. Written Public Hearing Testimony. The public may provide written comments via postal mail sent to City Hall or
via email sent to the City Clerk at IFClerk@idahofallsidaho.gov. Comments will be distributed to the members of
the Council and become a part of the official public hearing record. Written testimony must be received no later
than 4:00 p.m. the date of the hearing.
2. Remote Public Hearing Testimony. The public may provide live testimony remotely via the WebEx meeting
platform with a phone or a computer. This platform will allow citizens to provide hearing testimony at the
appropriate time. Those desiring public hearing access MUST send a valid and accurate email address to
JNilsson@idahofallsidaho.gov no later than 4:00 p.m. the day of the hearing so log-in information can be sent to
you prior to the meeting. Please indicate for which public hearing you wish to offer testimony.
3. In-person Testimony. Live testimony will be received in the Council Chambers at the appropriate time
throughout the meeting. To comply with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) social distancing
guidelines, appropriate seating will be provided in the Council Chambers and in a nearby overflow room. Such
seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Citizens are required to wear face masks for the protection
of others.
Please be aware that an amendment to this agenda may be made in the meeting upon passage of a motion that states the
reason for the amendment and the good faith reason why the desired change was not included in the original agenda
posting. All regularly scheduled City Council Meetings are live-streamed and then archived on the city website (barring
electronic failure). If communication aids, services or other physical accommodations are needed to facilitate participation or
access for this meeting, please contact City Clerk Kathy Hampton at 208-612-8414 or the ADA Coordinator Lisa Farris at 208-
612-8323 as soon as possible so they can seek to accommodate your needs.
1. Call to Order.
2. Pledge of Allegiance.
3. Public Comment. Members of the public may address the City Council regarding matters that are not on this
agenda or already noticed for a public hearing. When you address the Council, please state your name and city for
the record and please limit your remarks to three (3) minutes. Please note that matters currently pending before the
Planning Commission or Board of Adjustment, which may be the subject of a pending enforcement action or which
are relative to a City personnel matter, are not suitable for public comment.
4. Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update (as needed).
5. Regular Agenda.
A. Municipal Services
1) Public Hearing - Tentative 2020/21 Fiscal Year Budget: The purpose of the public hearing is to
receive public comment on the tentative 2020/21 Fiscal Year budget pursuant to Idaho Code 50-1002.
RECOMMENDED ACTION: No action required.
6. Announcements.
7. Adjournment.
Page 2 of 2
Pam Alexander, Municipal Services Director
Monday, August 3, 2020
Public Hearing for the Tentative 2020/21 Fiscal Year Budget
Council Action Desired
☐ Ordinance ☐ Resolution ☒ Public Hearing
☐ Other Action (Approval, Authorization, Ratification, etc)
Pursuant to Idaho Code §50-1002, Municipal Services requests that the council conduct a
public hearing for the 2020/21 Fiscal Year budget on Thursday, August 20, 2020.
Description, Background Information & Purpose
Pursuant to Idaho Code, the Notice of Public Hearings for the 2020/21 fiscal year budget was
published on Sunday, August 9, 2020 and Sunday, August 16, 2020. The Public Hearing is
scheduled for 7:30 pm, Thursday, August 20, 2020 in the Council Chambers of the City Annex
Building located at 680 Park Avenue in Idaho Falls, Idaho.
Relevant PBB Results & Department Strategic Plan
☐ ☒ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐ ☐
Public hearings support the good governance community-oriented result by fostering
innovative and sound fiscal management. Hearings enable participation, public trust and
transparency.
Interdepartmental Coordination
All City departments have participated in the 2020/21 budget fiscal year budget process.
Fiscal Impact
The tentative approval of the 2020/21 fiscal year budget on 30 July 2020 set the maximum
level of total expenditures that cannot be exceeded in the appropriations ordinance.
Legal Review
Legal concurs; this action is within the parameters of Idaho Code §50-1002.
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NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
PROPOSED BUDGET FOR FISCAL YEAR 2020-2021
CITY OF IDAHO FALLS, IDAHO
A public hearing pursuant to Idaho Code section 50-1002, will be held for consideration of the proposed budget for the fiscal year
from October 1, 2020 to September 30, 2021. The hearing will be held at the City of Idaho Falls Council Chambers, in the City
Annex Building, located at 680 Park Avenue, Idaho Falls, Idaho at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, August 20, 2020. All interested persons
are invited to appear and provide comments regarding the proposed budget. Copies of the proposed budget are available at the
Idaho Falls City Controller’s Office during regular office hours (8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., weekdays). City Hall is accessible to persons
with disabilities. Anyone desiring accommodations for disabilities in order to allow access to the budget documents or to the hearing
should contact the City Controller's Office at 612-8230 at least 48 hours prior to the public hearing. The tentative budget is also
posted on the City's website at https://www.idahofallsidaho.gov. The proposed FY 2021 budget is shown below as FY 2021
proposed expenditures and projected revenues.
PROPOSED EXPENDITURES
FY 2019 FY 2020 FY 2021
Actual Budget Proposed
Expenditures Expenditures Expenditures
General Fund
Mayor and Council $ 625,910 $ 795,324 $ 627,741
Legal 860,711 820,341 558,984
Municipal Services 3,591,190 4,667,553 4,545,522
Community Development 2,474,702 3,094,836 3,745,099
Human Resources 419,634 448,897 365,837
Police 15,654,163 16,589,475 17,370,894
Fire 12,232,514 11,971,963 12,209,866
Parks 9,043,250 9,241,653 8,596,039
Public works 1,250,630 2,342,669 2,302,100
General Fund Total 46,152,704 49,972,711 50,322,082
Special Revenue Funds
Street Fund 6,789,430 7,478,020 7,477,750
Recreation Fund 1,874,836 2,179,436 3,421,102
Idaho Falls Public Library Fund 2,849,451 4,479,885 6,602,948
Airport Passenger Facility Charge Fund 715,581 - -
Municipal Equipment Replacement Fund 2,851,356 5,687,500 3,120,000
Electric Light Public Purpose Fund 680,514 1,008,000 1,000,000
Business Improvement District Fund 112,480 85,000 85,000
Golf Fund 2,776,252 2,853,234 2,855,769
Ambulance Fund 7,903,122 7,841,780 7,059,084
Wildland Fire Fund 219,748 927,415 961,500
Special Revenue Funds Total 26,772,770 32,540,270 32,583,153
Internal Service Fund
Worker's Compensation Fund 1,267,593 2,350,000 3,811,292
Contingency Fund - 6,000,000 43,000,000
Employee Benefits Fund 33,500 60,000 60,000
Internal Service Funds Total 1,301,093 8,410,000 46,871,292
Capital Projects Funds
Sanitary Sewer Capital Improvement Fund 69,954 650,000 -
Municipal Capital Improvement Fund 540,732 1,200,000 1,000,000
Street Capital Improvement Fund 652,355 2,000,000 1,800,000
Bridge and Arterial Street Fund 193,561 350,000 350,000
Water Capital Improvement Fund 448,838 1,200,000 -
Surface Drainage Fund - 50,000 50,000
Traffic Light Capital Improvement Fund 679,104 570,000 600,000
Parks Capital Improvement Fund 214,704 2,850,000 1,675,000
Fire Capital Improvement Fund - - -
Zoo Capital Improvement Fund 828,740 2,812,000 1,065,000
Civic Center Capital Improvement Fund 1,169,702 200,000 -
Golf Capital Improvement Fund - - 3,240,000
Capital Projects Funds Total 4,797,690 11,882,000 9,780,000
Enterprise Funds
Idaho Falls Airport Fund 8,357,358 16,152,145 15,426,601
Water Fund 10,254,640 11,389,326 12,206,150
Sanitation Fund 4,895,418 5,657,500 5,765,650
Idaho Falls Power 53,848,357 79,597,816 89,404,599
Fiber 1,813,167 8,446,486 6,243,639
Wastewater Fund 11,614,216 12,145,582 13,941,650
Enterprise Funds Total 90,783,156 133,388,855 142,988,289
Total Expenditures - All Funds $ 169,807,413 $ 236,193,836 $ 282,544,816
PROJECTED REVENUES
FY 2018 FY 2019 FY 2020
Actual Budget Projected
Revenues Revenues Revenues
Property Tax Levy
General Fund $ 27,226,595 $ 28,077,630 $ 29,499,471
Streets Fund 3,294,278 3,904,181 3,904,181
Recreation Fund 665,303 723,204 723,204
Library Fund 2,103,816 2,349,297 2,349,297
Municipal Capital Improvement Fund 740,631 790,618 790,618
Liability Insurance 636,966 724,147 724,147
Fire Station Building 399,435 401,524 401,524
Property Tax Levy Total 35,067,024 36,970,601 38,392,442
Revenue Sources Other Than Property Tax
General Fund 17,817,579 20,170,934 19,064,179
Street Fund 4,410,503 3,446,700 3,014,000
Recreation Fund 1,198,818 1,221,983 2,335,276
Idaho Falls Public Library Fund 1,417,446 1,293,000 1,276,410
Passenger Facility Fund 715,581 - -
Municipal Equipment Replacement Fund 3,467,629 2,200,000 2,200,000
Electric Light Public Purpose Fund 581,553 1,008,000 1,208,000
Business Improvement District Fund 89,676 90,000 90,000
Golf Fund 2,698,575 2,823,035 2,733,173
Worker's Compensation Fund 1,478,154 1,200,000 1,990,496
Employee Benefits Fund 4,592,892 - 2,000,000
Ambulance Fund 6,807,491 6,575,676 6,928,974
Wildland Fire Fund 200,000 1,000,000 1,180,000
Sanitary Sewer Capital Improvement Fund 613,765 320,000 -
Municipal Capital Improvement Fund 24,201 1,000 20,000
Street Capital Improvement Fund 597,452 1,530,000 615,000
Bridge and Arterial Street Fund 352,230 150,000 160,000
Water Capital Improvement Fund 1,179,978 530,000 -
Surface Drainage Fund 65,456 35,000 41,500
Traffic Light Capital Improvement Fund 425,646 437,000 467,600
Parks Capital Improvement Fund 124,925 1,100,000 1,552,000
Fire Capital Improvement Fund - - -
Zoo Capital Improvement Fund 95,000 2,897,000 1,167,000
Golf Capital Improvement Fund - - 3,291,181
Civic Center Capital Improvement Fund 1,012,554 200,000 -
Idaho Falls Airport Fund 8,167,393 15,944,110 15,426,601
Water Fund 10,299,471 10,088,000 11,246,500
Sanitation Fund 5,063,314 4,654,000 4,704,000
Idaho Falls Power 57,637,414 64,145,044 81,433,525
Fiber 959,864 - 922,064
Wastewater Fund 11,205,019 10,914,000 12,535,000
Fund Balance use (8,559,190) 45,248,753 66,549,895
Other Revenue Sources Total 134,740,389 199,223,235 244,152,374
Total Revenues - All Funds $ 169,807,413 $ 236,193,836 $ 282,544,816
I, Kathy Hampton, City Clerk of the City of Idaho Falls, Idaho certify that the above is a true and correct statement of the proposed
expenditures by fund and the entire estimated revenues and other sources of the City of Idaho Falls, Idaho for the fiscal year 2020-
2021; all of which have been tentatively approved by the City Council on July 30, 2020 and entered at length in the Journal of
Proceedings.
s/ Kathy Hampton
Kathy Hampton, City Clerk
Publish: August 9, and August 16, 2020
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