[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-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",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_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",6588699,"mediaKeyId","5558910-ffa215771733451ca123d3c458beb2e7","parentId",5558910,"title","Council and police discuss street racing spike, evidence options and enforcement limits","audioSeconds",188,"startMs",10560000,"endMs",10748000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5558910-ffa215771733451ca123d3c458beb2e7&start=10560&end=10748","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5558910-ffa215771733451ca123d3c458beb2e7/thumbnail_10560000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6588699/Idaho-Falls/Bonneville-County/Idaho/Council-and-police-discuss-street-racing-spike-evidence-options-and-enforcement-limits","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6588699-468d8107f937abc4b3d623c62268248b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770447971&Signature=WUpuc7gQFIGP2ZgUtIoa7BdEKerFtVutugTRmPOBJcLyrb~lMKyFsUa9FJgMV~VZd5~BFQH9ywBVHXrvRKTOXg4f0EXdX5~LmypT6ZwxUm1LT8lHqTdAZZpVdimCCzoiMUDuRHltS4H78YNgYBGPpt~TxuI3VTHMhU8KVZM9z6oFpLB07-bh0sjVqSbhf5t8MAhEmW3GB7PyUHs9tgFojsr7Rnc7U5ZdnFEEnI-SUGB8I0nX5s6viNrp-WV90oljCgwVyH1owPBwqpl8SAnYVw303j1OSkT2TeSlvYwSqRr5lxCgs6zCC75wNb63YLarlok0QasDClW6Y6E40dbdOg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Idaho Falls City","date","2025-08-11T00:00:00Z","article","Council members and police staff discussed a recent increase in illegal street racing and associated public-safety concerns, including noise, reckless driving and two recent serious crashes.

Councilor Freeman and police representatives said officers are actively pursuing enforcement options but noted practical limits: automated, passive camera systems mounted on fixed infrastructure face legal and evidentiary challenges under Idaho law, and license‑plate readers and streetlight‑mounted cameras are limited for criminal-prosecution use. Police said citizen-submitted video and testimony have led to charges in past cases when witnesses could authenticate recordings. Police also described efforts to infiltrate online groups that organize racing locations and to use targeted overtime or deployments at identified trouble spots; councilors pressed for more information on enforcement costs and staffing trade-offs.

Councilors asked police to study costs and options for a multi-pronged response — including directed patrols, procuring vehicle‑mounted plate readers, use of community video evidence, and outreach — and to return with an enforcement plan and cost estimate that could be funded from contingency if council approves.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Idaho Falls City - City Council Work Session","oneSentenceSummary","Councilors and police reported an uptick in illegal street racing and associated noisy vehicle modifications; police said they are exploring enforcement options including citizen-submitted video evidence and targeted enforcement but noted limits on passive camera enforcement under current law.","taxTitle","Idaho Falls, Bonneville County, Idaho","taxId",4472,"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},6588704,"City to draft policy for water-tower lighting after public reaction to new program",179,9981000,10160000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5558910-ffa215771733451ca123d3c458beb2e7&start=9981&end=10160","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5558910-ffa215771733451ca123d3c458beb2e7/thumbnail_9981000.jpg","/articles/6588704/Idaho-Falls/Bonneville-County/Idaho/City-to-draft-policy-for-water-tower-lighting-after-public-reaction-to-new-program","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6588704-e0cdd9490fb2cbddc94ac1466cffcc4c/orig.mp4?Expires=1770447971&Signature=d9i3cW3uFzmjSQWvtRTY6o~73nizrbu5dtpfgw0r1kDtYp~JVRKWtKjJYk~9x-PpKEAXceUgd4sC-OPb8KQw5~S27ugdFPuq0XtFLBYI0QI2jW2xCGQcgPe5khLsWo~3b012Hk6zMriTeJbhLrE98e6X5zB8kr3YWusnioOberjQuYr3AejHkTg7KUH7a1TvclUgn6E8mYTIkgmNuZWK2~SOrM5gNnFkjOf~5gxBOKHRQPhNb5Px1MvzJft6ctWC7w3leyTwwRJGpPw-HlKSSH5ZOuy3PnbXGyfrMA7JWaYGEpOwsbFWAvALqC5KcEvpOcRG--X~ATnTiOxWNAgJNA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City staff told the council the recent lighting of the new water tower resulted from a contractor test that was left active and that the contractor supplied seasonal programming and additional effects (fading, “chase” patterns and color programs) for holidays. Staff said the technology allows scheduling and multiple programs but recommended the city adopt a written policy to define how the tower will be used.

Superintendent Dave Richards (city utilities) explained that a contractor’s test turned into a live display. The contractor also supplied software and programs for major U.S. holidays and other effects; staff said IT configuration and software downloads remain before the city can fully program shows. Councilors and staff raised several policy questions: whether the tower should be lit every night, what hours are appropriate, whether private groups could pay for time on the tower, whether to limit messages to civic or holiday observances, and possible impacts (light pollution, bird impacts and ongoing operating costs).

Staff said they will draft a policy for council consideration that addresses scheduling, permissible messaging, potential revenue uses if the city allows paid displays, and technical limits (hours, brightness, and conservation concerns). No policy decision was made at the meeting; councilors expressed general support for a policy that preserves the tower as a civic element rather than an ad-hoc advertising platform.","After ad-hoc programming left the new Idaho Falls water tower illuminated in colors, staff said the contractor provided seasonal lighting programs and staff will bring a policy for council consideration on allowable messaging, schedules and costs before regular or commercial use.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6588709,"Council agrees to propose staged pay increases for elected officials; mayor’s pay also discussed",3065,5885000,8950000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5558910-ffa215771733451ca123d3c458beb2e7&start=5885&end=8950","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5558910-ffa215771733451ca123d3c458beb2e7/thumbnail_5885000.jpg","/articles/6588709/Idaho-Falls/Bonneville-County/Idaho/Council-agrees-to-propose-staged-pay-increases-for-elected-officials-mayors-pay-also-discussed","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6588709-c17320504ce010b870524a57225fffed/orig.mp4?Expires=1770447971&Signature=aEPkVPY4QHrSYPG~5AUB95-K6GhGbTw6o450S8GLv8TUYacOG01VL0ki0KlDxOR8FJISVLngg9ZaHY1Jgh4QzKgLufb97-2mdbRFY17WHmbvwlxzZl5Y9ROQv0E9EgzN-EOW7o0oGK7yjmwZU8cpTIReNN1WiiIy3ht-VaS0-p2qHU-wWuQnG~c7piZ5pd~pz6wMpC~9eaSGIRNxocFlATPaNUSlbb2K8CKnnpXvVS~1R351KfUNgj8r08pVYzvXCPbC4G~Rd~2KonKeSqQiVq8wAZdR04DvbVzosO0BYrOFtGV-PswNljJU40cBnFlTrzPe529EPhvooVx-eDFR5g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Councilors debated several proposals to increase compensation for elected officials and directed staff to prepare language for the public notices required by state law.

Heidi, the assistant city attorney, reviewed the legal constraints: state law requires an ordinance fixing elected-official compensation to be published at least 75 days before a general city election and the ordinance takes effect on Jan. 1 following that election. Councilors discussed staging increases over multiple years rather than taking a single-step raise. Several councilors said modest staged increases would help recruitment and retention of candidates who are younger, working or self-employed, while others cautioned that large percentage increases could be politically sensitive in an election year.

Council reached a working direction for the draft language: move council compensation toward $21,000 (spread over two years, with half of the increase effective Jan. 1, 2026, and the other half Jan. 1, 2027) and move the mayor’s pay toward $125,000 spread over three years. Councilors emphasized that any final ordinance will be public, will be subject to the statutory notice timeline, and can still be altered or rejected at the public meeting. Staff said the finalized ordinance or resolution language must be submitted promptly to meet publication deadlines for the election year.

The council did not adopt a final ordinance at the meeting; staff were directed to prepare draft ordinance/resolution language for the Thursday hearings and to confirm publication timing. City attorney staff noted changes cannot take effect until after the next general election per state statute.","Councilors discussed multiple proposals for raising council and mayor pay. By consensus staff were directed to prepare resolutions that stage council increases over two years and the mayor’s increase over three years so the proposals can be published for the required election-year notice and considered at the upcoming meetings.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6588712,"Idaho Falls council weighs budget trade-offs: $399,000 unallocated, police range and $500,000 capital debate",1394,742000,2136000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5558910-ffa215771733451ca123d3c458beb2e7&start=742&end=2136","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5558910-ffa215771733451ca123d3c458beb2e7/thumbnail_742000.jpg","/articles/6588712/Idaho-Falls/Bonneville-County/Idaho/Idaho-Falls-council-weighs-budget-trade-offs-399000-unallocated-police-range-and-500000-capital-debate","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6588712-716edef8aaaeebec4aa333e0cd09910d/orig.mp4?Expires=1770447971&Signature=OslR64IB3SNo7AqCvLQEBBbtfaNM74-QKebcZGQhEagYdp3P8G-F-DTur~LYzUAasxl76mYdk9EbzDgeLAbOVA6DRz4vJv-dHEBePrdeIYYgrWpnPsMuMJ3uPZAsgy8Enya2uYGg7rxwRe8LWY7PPsCzkUhRbPDyLipVRorRAKtRKyP4M5CaoqFNkqzQmdTJarsAt1Cq0zMxDfK1v5qja-8YEVVaKCiq6ZmWZm-gbuNoeBKPurhWSRRhTNFlseBqU1ez1A6hyuTfIxjgfIDBlPklyqNmvVykiENmemu3fOMbZMPAw0IpJmx3OjOPl800COu0UztaYeVFi3YVGo5VHQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City staff and councilors spent the meeting’s longest block of time reviewing updated property valuation numbers from the county, the composition of unallocated funds in the tentative budget and competing requests for one-time and ongoing money.

Brooks (finance staff) and Pam (city finance) said the county provided updated valuations the previous Monday, producing a total valuation of roughly $8.7 billion and estimated growth-related property-tax revenue of about $916,000 for the coming fiscal year. Staff presented scenarios showing the impact to residential and commercial property owners under several levy and foregone options: statutory 3% allowed increase, 1% foregone and a proposed 1% capital foregone (a one-time capital tax amount) of roughly $500,000. For a typical homeowner in the presentation sample, the combined package being considered would add between roughly $42 and $78 annually — about $3.50 to $6.50 per month — depending on home value. For commercial properties the annual increases in the staff scenarios ranged from about $265 to over $5,000, depending on property valuation.

Staff said the city has about $176,000 in ongoing, unallocated property-tax growth revenue and roughly $223,000 in one-time funds (including estimated bond closeout proceeds and a power-repayment balance), for a total of approximately $399,000 available in contingency in the tentative budget. The $50,000 from a certificate-of-participation (COP) closeout is an estimate until final close-out; staff asked council whether any extra COP funds beyond the $50,000 should be sent to the general fund or directed to a project such as the police shooting range.

Council debate focused on how to use one-time funds versus ongoing levy authority. Mayor and several councilors said they favored directing close-out COP funds toward police-range needs (FF&E, equipment) but cautioned against giving departments a blank check; the council agreed any spending on the shooting range would come back to council before bids or funds were committed. Several councilors voiced concern about using the 1% capital foregone (staff’s example: $500,000) because it increases the taxpayer cost more sharply relative to the revenue gain; others said the proposed fire storage facility — described by staff and Chief Nelson as an 80-by-80 steel storage building with nine bays, sprinkler and heating systems and an 18-month construction schedule — had merit and could reduce equipment deterioration and improve response readiness.

On personnel and program items, councilors discussed a midyear zookeeper hire that staff planned to fund with one-time power-repayment money for the first half-year and a mix of zoo revenues and general fund ongoing money thereafter; several councilors asked for clearer plans from the zoo about revenue and fees. Councilors also discussed a $45,000 lockers replacement at the aquatic center and whether it should be included.

School resource officer funding was updated: staff said Alturas (a school partner) agreed to cover 78% of costs for the position, reducing the city share to 22% in the first full year; councilors and police staff said that partly offsets the ongoing obligation.

Staff emphasized that the tentative budget includes a “not-to-exceed” amount published in the required legal notices and that the public hearing schedule (Thursday) and subsequent work session would allow councilors to refine allocations. No final budget adoption vote occurred at the meeting; staff will return with revised materials at the next work session and the August adoption meeting.","City staff presented updated county valuation and proposed allocations; councilors debated whether to levy a 1% capital foregone (about $500,000) to fund a fire storage facility and discussed earmarking unallocated funds for police shooting-range work, street maintenance, zoo staffing and aquatic center lockers.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6588717,"Idaho Falls staff recommends Jan. 1, 2026 start date for updated impact-fee ordinance",377,88000,465000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5558910-ffa215771733451ca123d3c458beb2e7&start=88&end=465","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5558910-ffa215771733451ca123d3c458beb2e7/thumbnail_88000.jpg","/articles/6588717/Idaho-Falls/Bonneville-County/Idaho/Idaho-Falls-staff-recommends-Jan-1-2026-start-date-for-updated-impact-fee-ordinance","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6588717-b6bb212551280973a723abbdb7d59b71/orig.mp4?Expires=1770447971&Signature=VwzkAhaJRosQV8A9D2R4f2tw2xZjiG-InhdRa2AVkyP01WDndmTOf-K~d2uv-CVsZ~8F9L7-PgrgxAoXwIhCc0qvsJj4vX-6Q6kOJZRsLjtpZ8BRiMpyCnD9BhFYTN2i2AKhz-jrYv0sNUaHIS4XgGaS9qnCZhUIQ8eFUXV8JgSyTFGUfgNJXnLPQpuG7hCkoNWLgXiOa0sJnBsy9JUI83C51oiBSiT~AIjsh7vphMoI63sz9YHwe3A3o3FGNWiHx5CFWNLfDbc8IDXHqFWOJ5Bxu2RYvGFMbR~B4-iHFA1FygPjLIDZ96TC1R87Fcwyd484rPlLbVEdCQE2MhaCHQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City staff told the Idaho Falls City Council they recommend that the city’s updated impact-fee ordinance and the accompanying capital-improvement and impact-fee study take effect Jan. 1, 2026, to allow developers and the public time to prepare for the new schedule and for staff to run additional outreach.

Margaret, a city staff member leading the work, told the council the later date would give the development community “some time to prepare for the new fees” and would avoid the end-of-season construction rush that can put pressure on plan review and permitting. She also said a later effective date would allow the city to publicize the new fee schedule and the capital-improvement study before fees begin to be collected.

Margaret said the council and staff have discussed dates with the city’s Impact Fee Advisory Committee and that committee asked for “plenty of notice” so stakeholders can transition. Margaret described outreach steps that staff plan to use: a newsletter targeted to the development community, a meeting with the East Idaho Homebuilders Association, posting the draft study on the city’s impact-fee web page, outreach at planning-and-zoning in September and a public hearing before the council in September, and further community education into the fall and new year.

Council members asked for a short outline of the outreach plan. Margaret said the city will also create materials highlighting capital projects paid for with impact fees and “brand” those projects to show how collected fees are spent. Council President Burton Shaw asked staff to share the outreach plan with council and with planning-and-zoning members; he said proactive communications would be useful.

Margaret noted one trade-off: waiting delays collection of the new fee schedule, and for some projects the new fee by square footage could be lower than current fees, which could draw criticism that the city is postponing revenue. She said staff and the advisory committee judged the outreach and smoother implementation outweighed that concern.

The council did not take a formal vote in this discussion; staff asked for direction on the date and received no objection during the meeting. Staff also indicated the draft ordinance and study will go to planning-and-zoning in September before the council public hearing.","City staff told the council the updated impact-fee ordinance and capital improvement study should take effect Jan. 1, 2026, to give developers notice and allow additional outreach; staff described an outreach plan ahead of planning-and-zoning and council hearings in September.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council and police discuss street racing spike, evidence options and enforcement limits

City to draft policy for water-tower lighting after public reaction to new program

Council agrees to propose staged pay increases for elected officials; mayor’s pay also discussed

Idaho Falls council weighs budget trade-offs: $399,000 unallocated, police range and $500,000 capital debate

Idaho Falls staff recommends Jan. 1, 2026 start date for updated impact-fee ordinance