BOISE, Idaho — Editor's note: Text of this story is updated with response from councilwoman Lisa Sánchez, posted on social media after the News at 10 aired on KTVB.
Tuesday’s Boise City Council meeting took an unexpected turn — after District 3 councilwoman Lisa Sánchez’ living situation was called into question.
After starting the meeting 20 minutes late, former council president Elaine Clegg announced Sánchez might not live in the district she represents. The announcement came as a surprise for councilmembers, who learned the news just moments before the meeting started.
“We know this was not intentional,” Clegg said. “We are looking for a path forward and will work with councilmember Sánchez to see if we can find one.”
District 3 covers many neighborhoods north of State Street. Sánchez lived there at the time of the election but apparently does not anymore.
Clegg did not give a timeline for Sánchez’s return – only that her absence was “indefinite.” She also could not give any details about Sánchez’s recent move, and said they are working to confirm the details.
Late Tuesday night, Sánchez addressed the issue in a post on Twitter.
"The day after Thanksgiving 2022, I received notice that I had to move by Dec. 31, 2022. It is very challenging to secure housing in this tight rental market with only five weeks to move 10-plus years of belongings," Sánchez wrote. "I consulted City of Boise staff and Ada County Elections Office because I wanted to be sure I was moving to a place that would allow me to fulfill my current two-year term on the Boise City Council. I was shocked to be told shortly before tonight's council meeting that my residency may be in question. I have acted in good faith. I hope this situation will be resolved swiftly so that I may continue my work on behalf of the City of Boise. My only desire is to fulfill my oath of office, and I stand ready to take appropriate steps to rectify this matter."
Councilmembers felt Sánchez's absence as they voted in new leadership. Holli Woodings is now council president, replacing Clegg.
Woodings said the confirmation is bittersweet without Sánchez.
“I’m really thankful to my family who are here tonight and my amazing colleagues on the council who frankly make me a better leader,” Woodings said. “Councilmember Sánchez is such a big part of that.”
Councilmembers also elected Jimmy Hallyburton as council president pro tem.
Hallyburton said he is grateful for the opportunity and wants to bring new voices to the table.
“I want to thank each of you, my fellow councilmembers, for this vote of confidence … for this particular role in this particular time that feels really important to me," he said.
It was an emotional night as Clegg transitioned out of her role as council president. She has served on Boise’s City Council for 19 years and been in leadership half that time.
Starting mid-February, she’ll serve as CEO for Valley Regional Transit.
“I'm really looking forward to see if we can figure out a way to help people move around this valley more easily and have more choices in doing that,” she said.
Clegg will remain as a regular city councilmember until the mayor nominates her replacement. City council will then vote on that nomination.
Whoever is confirmed will serve the rest of Clegg’s term and then has to be elected by the public. Clegg said the process might take a few months.
Despite the many changes, Clegg said she is confident in the abilities of the remaining councilmembers.
“I can’t think of a crew that I’d rather leave this to,” Clegg said. “Although I won’t be here very long in this role, I’m not going very far, and I’ll always be available.”
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