Slightly lower property taxes or improved traffic flow? Nampa voters to decide in primary
In February, Nampa City Council members grappled with the question of whether to ask voters for the first time in 20 years, to fund needed roadways and transportation improvements within the city.
On Election Day on May 21, Nampa voters will now have to decide if they want to continue to pay property taxes to fund road and pedestrian improvements in the city.
The city is asking voters to approve a general-obligation transportation bond for $38 million to “increase public safety by funding improvements to certain roadways and pedestrian corridors within the city.”
The bond would replace an existing bond that is set to expire in August.
The new bond is not expected to raise property taxes for Nampa residents, but to keep taxes similar to the current rate citizens pay for the expiring bond, according to the city.
The estimated cost per $100,000 of the taxable value of a residential home is $18. On average, this equates to $40 to $50 per residential property per year, or about $3-$4 per month.
The cost of the expiring bond is $19 per $100,000 of taxable value, according to the city. The expiring bond rate decreased since 2004 from $121 to $19 in 2022, said Mark Steuer, Nampa director of strategic initiatives, in a Nampa City Council meeting on Feb. 5. That is because of population growth and increase in the city’s tax base, he said.
To pass, two-thirds of voters must approve the bond measure.
The city, with help from a citizens advisory committee, outlined five roadway, intersection and sidewalk improvements that it would fund if the bond passes this month.
Those include:
Treasure Valley Marketplace and Midland Intersection Improvements: $4 million to improve traffic flow and intersection capacity at Midland Road and Marketplace Boulevard.
Library Square Congestion Improvements: $5 million to widen and allow two-way traffic on 11th Avenue south and analyze the need for two-way traffic on 12th Avenue south downtown.
12th Avenue to 11th Avenue Crossover Corridor: $15 million to build a crossover that would create a four-lane connection between 11th and 12th near the Nampa Public Library and provide a direct route to and from I-84.
South-East Nampa Connection to Idaho 16: $9 million for project design that would enable the city to apply for grants to fund the whole project. The south-east connection to Idaho 16 would add an access point to the interchange from the south side of Interstate 84. The Idaho Transportation Department is building the interchange as part of its extension of Idaho 16 south from Chinden Boulevard (U.S. 20-26) south to I-84 between McDermott and Robinson roads.
Safe Routes to School: $5 million for adding and improving sidewalks around the following schools:
Lone Star Middle School
Endeavor Elementary
Birch Elementary
Roosevelt Elementary
Skyview High School
East Valley Middle School
The Nampa City Council was split during the Feb. 5 meeting where it approved the bond question for the May primary ballot. Mayor Debbie Kling cast the deciding yes vote.
Councilmen David Bills, Randy Haverfield and Sebastian Griffin voted against putting the bond question on the ballot.
Haverfield worried about the economic status of Nampa residents and about the timing of asking for a replacement bond.
“It’s a very fragile economy,” he said in the meeting. “Nationwide, we’re seeing people being laid off. I’m concerned about that and the obligation to pay back this loan back put on the property owners in Nampa.”
Griffin, who was elected in November, grappled with the fact that his constituents were asking for property tax reduction but also complaining about traffic congestion in the city.
“If we allow the bond to expire in August, it’s $60 less on their assessment,” Griffin said in the meeting. “Do I think that’s a significant amount? I don’t want to make that judgment. However, it is showing that the city is hearing what they’re saying.”
The mayor and council members who voted to ask the bond question argued that it was up to Nampa voters to decide what to do with their money.
“I will never not let our citizens vote for something,” said Councilwoman Natalie Jangula.
The May 21 ballot will have candidates for all districts of the Idaho Legislature and county races up for election. To learn about the candidates, visit IdahoStatesman.com/election.
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