NAMPA, Idaho — In the late 1990s, the Ford Idaho Center in Nampa opened its doors to Idahoans. The complex holds an arena, outdoor amphitheater and horse park – all continue to host major events and moments.
Voters in Nampa earlier this week signed off on a new mechanism to help keep all auditorium facilities rolling at a high level.
Jeff Agenbroad is the chairman of the auditorium district committee, helping the group successfully pass establishing the Nampa Auditorium District with voter approval.
“Well, the end result was the one that we had hoped for,” Agenbroad said. “The only additional tax that people in Nampa would pay, relating to the auditorium district in Nampa, would be if you stayed in one of the Nampa hotels.”
Like other auditorium districts across Idaho, the district will soon be able to collect a very specific 5% tax on hotel and motel room receipts within the district. So, for every $100 on a hotel bill, another $5 would be added on, going to a specific fund.
“We have our five board members that were elected as well, and they will establish the district, which means that they will put up the bylaws, their mission statement and get organized for longevity and success in the future,” Agenbroad said.
The moves will center on using funds collected from the tax, which will soon start rolling in. There are some final technicalities to take care of in the very near future.
“Notifying the Tax Commission, which is the government entity that collects the tax on our behalf and then remits it to us on a monthly basis," Agenbroad said. "I'm told talking to the Tax Commission that a month after we notify them and show them that we are a valid district, that we will be receiving the taxes collected by our Nampa hoteliers."
Community places that will soon see a new avenue investment include the Ford Idaho Center and Nampa Civic Center, where Andrew Luther is the general manager.
"I was thrilled. I've been at these venues for nine years and it's something we've been working on,” Luther said. “There's a litany of options that we could do, but things that come to mind right away, you know – expansion of our horse park facilities here, building out larger meeting areas of the Nampa Civic Center or replacing theater seats, even work within the amphitheater. There's a whole new level of projects we're going to be able to achieve here beyond our normal capital projects annually.”
Treasure Valley residents have likely seen an event at the Ford Idaho Center, but have you ever thought about all the work behind the scenes?
“We're 24/7, 365. We just had dirt in here two days ago, and we're getting ready for a concert here in a day and a half or so," Luther said. "It's a a nonstop facility, and that sort of wear and tear, you know, it comes with the price. We're thankful that the auditorium district is going to help offset some of that."
Thankful is something the Nampa Auditorium District Committee is also feeling. Voters only saw the question at the end of a long ballot, something that can be a hurdle to ideas like this passing.
“We were at the bottom of the ballot, and that was a rather long ballot of six pages," Agenbroad said. "So, for their patience and persistence to get to the bottom of the ballot, to give us a yes vote and overwhelming support the Nampa Auditorium District."
The goal now – continue the growth and investment into important community spaces.
“The economic impact that these venues can drive for the city in outlying areas is huge," Luther said. "We're talking tens of millions in an annual year, and that's very important to us."
Agenbroad echoed the importance, telling KTVB "we want to have a beautiful auditoriums that attract the best entertainment and provide the best space for our community."