NAMPA, Idaho — This article originally appeared in the Idaho Press.
Nampa City Council saw two council members sworn in for their second term, a familiar face return and a new council member sworn in during the first council meeting of 2024.
Following the Nov. 7 election, four council members were sworn in at Tuesday’s council meeting.
Before council members were sworn in, several community members aired concerns surrounding the appointment of David Bills to District 3.
Bills was selected out of six applicants and then appointed to the District 3 seat Natalie Jangula had vacated; Jangula, who was also sworn in on Tuesday, was elected to the District 2 seat in November. District 3 applicants were interviewed by a committee and then Mayor Debbie Kling proceeded with a recommendation to the city council.
Not new to the job, Bills was previously appointed to the council in 2014 where he remained for two years, also serving on the Nampa Development Corporation and Impact Fee Advisory Committee.
Nampa resident Doris Phillips took issue with the fact that Bills was not reelected when he ran in 2015, yet the council is now bringing in the same candidate that citizens previously did not vote for. Phillips wanted to understand why the council voted him in.
“To bring that person back in … when it obviously was not the will of the people of the city of Nampa to have him in place again, is concerning,” Phillips said.
Bills’ experience working as a general contractor and real estate broker also garnered concern.
Resident Slobodan Stevanovic foresaw a potential conflict of interest among council members when approving construction projects. Council member Dale Reynolds has also been involved with contracting as owner of icon Mechanical, a construction and engineering firm.
“I would prefer if none of them can vote on each other’s projects,” Stevanovic said.
District 5 resident Cheryl Higley also expressed concerns about Bills' appointment.
“We believe that a city council member should be as unbiased and neutral as possible and we do not believe a member in the development industry will accomplish that,” Higley said.
She felt the process lacked transparency, with little notice or details provided about Bills when he was selected as the main candidate.
Nampa resident Linda Steele agreed with Higley’s comments
“Timing was an issue,” Steele said. “When we found out about this and we tried to do our research … and could not find the information we needed.”
Despite these objections, the council proceeded to appoint Bills.
“I realize there is concern in the audience,” Bills said about the public comments. “However, sometimes it is those who know how to do the work of development, real estate brokers and construction, (who) can often be a guideline.”
Sworn in for a second time, Jangula has been on the council since 2022 and ran for reelection after the city’s switch to district-based voting, moving from Seat 3 to Seat 2. As she was sworn into office on a Bible, she was joined at the podium by her kids.
“Service is very much a family affair,” Jangula said. “They make a lot of sacrifices along the way as well.”
Reynolds was sworn into his District 4 seat, renewing a full, second term after being appointed in 2022.
New to the council, Sebastian Griffin was confirmed for District 6.
“It’s beyond an honor to be serving in our hometown,” Griffin said about himself and his wife.
As he raises his young daughter in Nampa, Griffin said every vote he makes in city council will impact his family.
Outgoing council member Darl Bruner was also recognized at Tuesday’s meeting for serving on the council for eight years.
Police Chief Joe Huff recognized Bruner with a framed city flag, thanking him for both his service and his friendship. Huff recalled that Bruner was sworn into the council the same day he became chief of police.
“You’ve mentored me and helped me out,” Huff said.
Looking forward, the council unanimously elected Reynolds as the next council president, ending Randy Haverfield’s four years in the position.
Haverfield agreed that it would be best for another council member to have the opportunity to learn and grow within the role.
“Serving the community is such a wonderful opportunity to give back,” Haverfield said.
This article originally appeared in the Idaho Press, read more on IdahoPress.com.
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