NAMPA, Idaho — This article originally appeared in the Idaho Press.
Mayor Debbie Kling took to the stage Wednesday at the Ford Idaho Center for her seventh year delivering the State of the City address.
This year’s address had 600 people in attendance. In previous years, the Nampa State of the City address was delivered in front of a smaller crowd at the Nampa Civic Center. As she highlighted the city’s achievements, Kling welcomed dozens of familiar faces.
“It’s a little bit like a reunion, right? Because we get to get together and just see one another,” Kling said.
With Election Day fast approaching on Nov. 5, community speakers discussed items that will be up for residents to decide on.
ON THE BALLOT: AUDITORIUM DISTRICT
Flyers placed at every table, the proposed Nampa Auditorium District was a highlight of the event. Kling did not express her own stance on the initiative but encouraged attendees to educate themselves.
The taxing district would add a 5% tax on hotel stays within its boundaries to have concert-goers and other visitors shoulder costs toward the Ford Idaho Center and Nampa Civic Center. Such entertainment districts are not uncommon and exist in Boise, Pocatello and Idaho Falls.
Nampa previously failed to meet the simple majority needed to pass the initiative back in 2011. Kling noted that, if the initiative had not failed in 2011, the city would have collected millions of dollars over the past decade.
Nampa Chamber of Commerce CEO Mitch Minnette expressed his support for the initiative, as the district would place the burden of taxes on visitors, not residents.
“It doesn’t cost you or I any extra money, however, we greatly benefit from that,” he said.
ON THE BALLOT: EMERGENCY SERVICES
Clint Child, president at the Nampa Saint Alphonsus Medical Center, spoke on the hospital’s growth.
“Our focus this year is access to care and meeting the care needs of our growing and evolving community,” Child said.
The Nampa hospital has expanded with more beds, new clinical care spaces and new services at the South Nampa urgent care.
Child also touched on the importance of emergency medical services, with a $5.8 million Canyon County Ambulance District levy on the Nov. 5 ballot. Its passage would mean a property tax increase of $14.96 per $100,000 of assessed value.
The ambulance district has been short-staffed and has experienced increased response times as the county grows. A levy proposed leading up to the May election failed to pass without the required supermajority of two-thirds in support.
“These resources, especially in our more rural areas, impact the time for a 911 response,” Child said. “In some cases, this can mean the difference between life and death.”
BACKING THE BLUE
Kling commended the Nampa Police Department for making an impact in the community.
In the 2024 community survey, Nampa residents listed police as their top funding priority — one that Kling recognized as well.
“We have had substantial growth in equipment and personnel,” Kling said about the NPD. “Many may not realize that 100% of general fund property tax dollars go to the police department.”
According to the Nampa 2025 fiscal year budget, approximately 81% of property taxes go into the city’s general fund. That 81%, or $35.7 million for 2025, all goes toward police.
Kling also discussed the implementation of the Nampa Integrated Command Center. The center consists of live video feeds at traffic lights and has a dozen NPD employees who utilize the cameras.
In the past year, the video feeds have helped officers solve multiple crimes.
Kling recounted an incident in September where a local business was robbed at gunpoint and the thief drove away. Utilizing nearby cameras, police were able to identify the individual’s license plate.
While the technology can be helpful in solving crimes, Kling said that Nampa will not implement red light cameras, which have recently been proposed in Boise.
“Our police like to give tickets face to face,” Kling said.
Since 2023, Kling said that Nampa’s Group A crimes — offenses against persons, property and society — have gone down by 15.4%
“It is my belief that the Nampa Police Department is the best in the state of Idaho and possibly one of the best in our entire nation,” Kling said. “They serve our community with integrity. I’m pleased to say that, in Nampa, we back the blue.”
MANAGING TRAFFIC CONGESTION
Traffic has continued to be a top priority among Nampa residents, as seen in the 2024 community survey. Congestion was listed as residents’ largest concern.
Efforts to mitigate Nampa’s crowded roads include the in-progress construction of Highway 16. The project will expand Highway 16 farther south, connecting it with Interstate 84 near Exit 38 and the Ford Idaho Center.
“This is a significant impact on Nampa’s growth,” Kling said. “It’s pretty exciting to see it coming, and it’s moving fast.”
Kling also highlighted plans to widen Ustick Road and to make 11th Avenue a two-way road. Both projects are expected to begin in 2025.
“While we can’t stop growth, we can work diligently to manage it wisely,” Kling said.
INNOVATIONS IN WATER
Nampa has taken on major wastewater projects, with some coming to completion.
Kling highlighted improvements to the Nampa Wastewater Treatment Facility that have increased its capacity by 50% and was deemed the largest water project the state has seen.
The $165 million conservation project has improved water filtering capabilities with a loan from the Department of Environmental Quality.
“Prior to the recent improvements, our wastewater was treated to class B standards,” Kling said. “Today, it is going to be treated to a class A, which means that the water meets the strictest standards.”
Another project taken on by the city is the use of six acres of wetland near the Karcher Interchange.
As a part of the Environmental Protection Agency’s water quality improvement project, Nampa was awarded a $3.5 million grant to capture and filter stormwater runoff.
“It’s just ground sitting there today,” Kling said about the land. “… It’s a six-acre wetland that is going to use the latest research in harnessing biological treatment and engineering with nature.”
Once completed, the wetlands will filter 1-2 million gallons of water daily.
Both of these projects will aid in improving Treasure Valley’s water quality as a whole.
“I am so proud of (Director) Tom Points and our Public Works team for their innovative mindset as they approach their work,” Kling said.
REVIVAL OF THE IDAHO HISPANIC COMMUNITY CENTER
Doing a 180 from last year, the Idaho Hispanic Community Center is up and running with a clearer vision in mind.
In the summer of 2023, the city took control of the center, formerly known as the Hispanic Cultural Center of Idaho, after community complaints of mismanagement. The HCCI was alleged to have broken its lease agreement with the city by failing to provide community programming and keep detailed records of maintenance costs.
Facilities Manager José DeLeon has since stepped in to revitalize the center.
“We recognize that part of what we do is to make sure that we have individuals that are from the community,” DeLeon said in a video played at Wednesday’s address. “That have input in how the center is going to be used, and how the center can be revived in such a way that is respectful of its history.”
The center is now home to multiple Hispanic organizations and has brought back regular programming.
“It’s taken a lot of work this last year, but a lot’s been accomplished,” Kling said. “I just want to say thank you to everyone that’s been involved in those efforts.”
This article originally appeared in the Idaho Press, read more on IdahoPress.com.
