Pocatello council adopts FY2026 budget, approves grants, bids, leases and multiple ordinances

At its regular meeting the Pocatello City Council approved a package of budget, ordinance, grant and contract actions, including final adoption of the fiscal year 2026 appropriation ordinance and a grant amendment for parks resilience projects.

Key outcomes included final passage of the FY2026 appropriations ordinance appropriating $161,827,149 and levying $35,865,971 in ad valorem taxes for the fiscal year beginning October 2025; the ordinance passed on final reading with one recorded no vote from Council Member Bates.

The council also approved: an amendment to the Idaho Community Development Block Grant (ICDBG) Parks for Resilience grant to increase the agreement amount to $360,000; award of the ICDBG parks construction contract to Morco Construction for $312,608 for restroom projects at Optimus Park and Ross Park (options A and D); termination of an existing airport lease with RMP LLC and approval of a new 20-year lease with Keith Jensen for 3,000 square feet at the airport at a rental rate of $690 per year with CPI annual increases and a full rate review in 2026 and every five years thereafter; and a range of consent-agenda items (minutes, material claims, treasurer's report, an appointment of Alyssa Ricks to the Animal Shelter Advisory Board, right-of-way vacation for part of Centner Lane, annexation of approximately 12.46 acres on Trail Creek Road with RL zoning, and final plat approval for Ridges at High Terrace Division 1, ~63.18 acres).

Several ordinances were read by title and placed on final passage: repeal of Chapter 5.3 (Children Group Treatment Centers); updates to the electrical code adoption section of Title 15; amendments to Chapter 17.04 overlay areas (sensitive lands standards); and final passage of the fiscal year 2026 appropriations ordinance. Council also adopted a departmental fee resolution for FY2026 (exhibits A–X) and certified a foregone levy in the amount of $19,728 in accordance with Idaho Code 63-802.

Votes at a glance - Consent agenda (items A–G, minutes, claims, treasurer's report, appointment of Alyssa Ricks, Centner Lane ROW vacation, annexation of ~12.46 acres on Trail Creek Road, Ridges at High Terrace final plat): approved (roll call: unanimous) - Agenda item 6 (sale of tower truck to Central Fire District): approved (see separate article) - Agenda item 7 (use agreement for Azure Williams / Ambush FC at Constitution Park): approved (unanimous) - Agenda item 8 (ICDBG amendment increasing grant to $360,000): approved (unanimous) - Agenda item 9 (ICDBG bid acceptance; Morco Construction $312,608 for Optimus Park and Ross Park restrooms): approved (unanimous) - Agenda item 10 (airport lease termination and new lease with Keith Jensen for 3,000 sq ft, $690/year, 20-year term): approved (unanimous) - Agenda item 11 (RouteWare sanitation agreement): approved (see separate article) - Agenda item 12 (FY2026 departmental fee resolution): approved (unanimous) - Agenda item 13 (foregone levy $19,728 under Idaho Code 63-802): approved (unanimous) - Agenda item 14a–c (various ordinance updates and repeal of Chapter 5.3): approved (unanimous) - Agenda item 14d (FY2026 appropriations ordinance): approved (roll call; Bates voted No)

Why it matters: final adoption of the FY2026 budget and related fee and levy actions set the city's tax levy and spending plan for services such as streets, recreation, airport, library and capital improvements. The ICDBG grant actions and contract awards fund park restroom construction and resilience improvements. Airport lease actions and consent agenda land-use items change local property control and zoning in the short term.

Ending: Several matters were approved with little debate; the council directed legal review where appropriate and scheduled implementation steps with staff.