[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6513005,"mediaKeyId","5081702-685a0f2c9db6593d4dbb9603140b992f","parentId",5081702,"title","Resident warns council of potential legal exposure from right-of-way utility fees; asks for state opinion","audioSeconds",244,"startMs",2836000,"endMs",3080000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5081702-685a0f2c9db6593d4dbb9603140b992f&start=2836&end=3080","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5081702-685a0f2c9db6593d4dbb9603140b992f/thumbnail_2836000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6513005/Pocatello-City/Bannock-County/Idaho/Resident-warns-council-of-potential-legal-exposure-from-right-of-way-utility-fees-asks-for-state-opinion","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6513005-b2a4570097e0be9119fdc1bda173f1bb/orig.mp4?Expires=1770415724&Signature=Eb7tPamqtaVxvcE7CnzP~sEzFKwMtRHfVJIQUCNwZfnFuEfFPcUA6FPDQ937eBCT9P1wsxD5oErQ5A8eqxo0jikjO0Z4~1ds-l-vVLYYe2~TSwj1DYvBPGgP4PQiQTG3GAjlZV7pRD0W-Joa1Ltnw1S6gZhndXLlbAdMNNswGp1KT-iCFVKZdldCO4ph8ilOMKHrVh2-L~nylb0Ez-8gCl0nx0UwDuoaQUINvL0gxlhtbZs-zFb0QF93xnOMcYzH-rQwkxx~vVk7lEGj-d0EkRpHblL1fXYfYMmVdEJ5Q9gfqj1smIHJXR-WP5fKOU3HMvGecvSN20jitWbdCRqFPw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Pocatello","date","2025-06-26T16:47:33.06Z","article","At the same council meeting that focused on fireworks safety, resident Heather Dislecone told the Pocatello City Council she believes the city has collected more than $11.5 million in \"unconstitutional disguised tax fees\" over the past decade and urged elected officials to seek an opinion from the Idaho attorney general or another neutral legal authority.

\"You must make a decision quickly,\" Dislecone said, referencing litigation in other Idaho cities and telling councilmembers the city faces a choice between ceasing collection and risking a costly lawsuit. She cited the Lewiston case and said the city’s right-of-way maintenance utility fees resemble fees successfully challenged elsewhere; Dislecone told the council an adverse outcome could exceed $5 million in liability compared with roughly $1.7 million in annual revenue from those fees.

Why it matters: Dislecone framed the issue as a legal and fiscal risk that could require repayment and affect city finances and officials' legacies. She asked the council to weigh potential settlement costs, litigation exposure and the ethical duty to follow the Constitution.

Follow-up requests and related finance comment
Steven Adams, another public commenter, urged council adherence to the city's financial management policies adopted in 2017, saying failure to follow those policies could harm the city's credit rating and future borrowing costs. Adams asked the council to ensure the city follows its own written policies \"line upon line\" to protect creditworthiness.

No formal action was recorded during the meeting on the utility-fee issue; councilmembers were asked to consider legal review. In public comment, Dislecone urged the council to \"seek an opinion from the AG's office or another non biased party.\"","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Pocatello City Council Town Hall Meeting 06 25 25","oneSentenceSummary","A resident told the Pocatello council that the city's right-of-way/utility maintenance fees may mirror fees struck down elsewhere, urged the city to seek an attorney general opinion and warned of potential repayment exposure; a second commenter urged adherence to financial policies.","taxTitle","Pocatello City, Bannock County, Idaho","taxId",5619,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6513010,"Pocatello officials warn residents as summer fire season expands; announce burn ban and stepped-up fireworks enforcement",734,28000,762000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5081702-685a0f2c9db6593d4dbb9603140b992f&start=28&end=762","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5081702-685a0f2c9db6593d4dbb9603140b992f/thumbnail_28000.jpg","/articles/6513010/Pocatello-City/Bannock-County/Idaho/Pocatello-officials-warn-residents-as-summer-fire-season-expands-announce-burn-ban-and-stepped-up-fireworks-enforcement","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6513010-5e052bf3bbca42e26a42c07e231a2246/orig.mp4?Expires=1770415724&Signature=fRxd~s1Q8sz34p2RZyfyDxzJYonFp94C5ZLE0O-rIX5PSgUVb2-NIhFetgwUwG~Ag8LteIDcVy6fDq1oF72rY6ItU-X9mVzEikYw0SloqFwcM3K4te8pswywiUb9qFeCoxKb5d49-jaaBOOcuPNIOuFVeX-wKFTfem7kMJBk2ugXfTjTbD-5kRdfHEj9rBYPzzTPqoMnJftGu~dBmTOzKvp1Ol8pdFTWO2L-XzCxJVQDzX3LLmH1AS-yxpSu7KU9zbmEtdMvi23eq2g1Z-BSBn27dZtSkFJANt4WPSM-k4z45UXe0FDH-jvQ56GhE-FF~-g2oamuFjYiWvxQu5cddg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Pocatello fire and police officials warned residents Tuesday that an expanding wildland-urban interface and earlier, longer fire seasons have increased fire risk, announced a citywide burn restriction starting July 1 and described stepped-up fireworks enforcement and inspections ahead of July Fourth.

The message followed recent local wildland fires and display-related incidents: “The top priority for the Pocatello Fire Department is the preservation of life and property,” Pocatello Fire Chief Ryan O'Hearn said, and officials described a combination of public-education, stand inspections, targeted patrols and citations to reduce fireworks-related fires.

At a town-hall-style city council session, Assistant Chief and city fire marshal Dean Bullock said Pocatello crews responded to 16 fires between June 24 and July 5, and that on the Fourth and the morning of July 5 firefighters investigated seven fires that were related to fireworks. Bullock displayed a photograph of fireworks the department confiscated last year and said the confiscated stock was worth roughly \"$8,000 to $10,000.\" He said one fire that day required the evacuation of a neighborhood. “These fires can happen anywhere in town,” Bullock said.

Why it matters: Officials said Pocatello’s development into foothill areas increases exposure to wildland fire. Chief O'Hearn and Bullock cited national examples and local incidents to explain why the city is expanding areas where fireworks are prohibited and why a burn restriction and enforcement measures are being put in place.

What officials announced and how they will enforce it
- Burn restriction: Chief O'Hearn said a burn restriction will take effect July 1 for areas the city designates as wildland-urban interface (WUI); the restriction is expected to run through Oct. 1 or until conditions improve.
- Fireworks sale/use dates: Officials said retail sales of allowed \"safe-and-sane\" fireworks begin June 28 at noon and that the city code permits use of allowed fireworks from June 28 through July 6 in authorized areas.
- Expanded no-fireworks zones: Bullock described mapped red zones where all fireworks are prohibited, naming expanded areas on the north end of Satterfield, near Michelle Street, Stockman and Swisher, Valley View, Highland and parts of Rocky Point and Canyon. City maps and QR codes will be posted at stands and on the city website to show where use is permitted.
- Stand inspections and confiscation: The fire marshal's office inspects stands before opening and periodically during the season; stands found selling illegal aerial fireworks will be required to remove them and those items may be confiscated and destroyed. Bullock said inspectors check for the “safe-and-sane” label and other safety items such as extinguishers and correct signage.
- Patrols and citations: Police Chief Roger Shire said the city will put additional brush units and patrols on duty for July Fourth; last year the city issued 52 citations. Bullock noted officers seized roughly $8,000–$10,000 worth of illegal fireworks during one recent enforcement sweep.

Penalties and legal references
Assistant Chief Bullock and a police representative cited enforcement options: use of illegal aerial fireworks in permitted areas can lead to seizure and fines; lighting illegal aerial fireworks in areas outside the white (allowed) zones is a misdemeanor that requires a court appearance, while the infraction fine for permitted-area violations is $100. Bullock provided a statute number for reference as Idaho Code 39-26-09 when explaining state-level code language that informs local enforcement.

Public concerns and business perspective
Local fireworks stand owner Jeb Harrison told councilmembers he follows permitting, inspections and tax rules and asked the city to more aggressively target out-of-area sellers who he said undercut legal stands. Resident Christy Lewis described living on Monte Vista near a dry gully and said neighbors repeatedly fire aerials into the drainage; she said she feared for her home and pets and asked how quickly the city could respond to calls from densely occupied neighborhoods.

Officials urged residents to report illegal fireworks and to provide photos or video evidence from a safe distance and to leave contact information with dispatch when possible. Councilman Nichols and others reminded speakers that the police and fire departments prioritize calls and that response to fireworks complaints may be delayed during more serious emergencies.

Ending
Officials closed by emphasizing prevention and shared responsibility: use only labeled \"safe-and-sane\" devices in the white zones, check the city map before igniting fireworks, store and dispose of devices safely and call 911 immediately for fires. The city urged residents to attend professional, permitted public displays as a safer alternative.","Pocatello fire and police officials detailed wildfire risk, expanded no-fireworks zones, a July 1 burn restriction and increased enforcement after a week that included multiple fireworks-related fires and stand inspections.","actionData","errors"]

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Resident warns council of potential legal exposure from right-of-way utility fees; asks for state opinion

Pocatello officials warn residents as summer fire season expands; announce burn ban and stepped-up fireworks enforcement