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Citizen Portal News Idaho
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Valley County is set to adopt a new CPACE district, paving the way for solar upgrades and a $200,000 grant program to boost local nonprofits—exciting transformations are on the horizon!

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#McCallValleyCounty #ID #CommunityDevelopment #CleanEnergy #AffordableHousing #McCallHousing
Valley County commissioner updates council on CPACE, county grants and small housing project
Commissioner Sherry Maupin told the council the county intends to adopt a CPACE district to facilitate building upgrades, reported SRS funding and a $200,000 county grant program for nonprofits, and described a three‑unit triplex completed for the West Central Mountains Housing Trust that adds to local affordable housing stock.
citizenportal.ai
December 15, 2025 at 11:54 PM
Lakeland District is stepping up its game by seeking top-notch legal services and a construction manager for exciting modernization projects this summer!

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#ID #EducationReform #PublicSafety #CitizenPortal #CivicAccountability
Lakeland District to publish RFQs for legal services and CMGC; board authorizes outreach
Trustees authorized publication of a legal-services RFQ and a qualifications-based solicitation for CMGC services. Staff said the CMGC model lets the district negotiate a guaranteed maximum price and select the most capable contractor rather than the lowest bidder.
citizenportal.ai
December 15, 2025 at 11:21 PM
The Middleton Planning & Zoning Commission has given the green light to significant changes for the Quarry East subdivision, but not without demanding stricter stormwater measures and maintenance responsibilities from the developer.

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#MiddletonCanyonCounty #ID #UrbanDevelopment
Middleton commission backs DA changes for Quarry East but requires extra stormwater and maintenance safeguards
The Planning & Zoning Commission voted to recommend approval of M3 Woodland’s development-agreement modification for the Quarry East (Corey East) subdivision, approving most requested changes but conditioning approval on additional stormwater pretreatment and developer responsibility for private-street maintenance; commissioners also removed proposed sewer-fee credit language.
citizenportal.ai
December 15, 2025 at 11:20 PM
Trustees are revisiting student-discipline policy 3330 after a heated debate over threat-assessment language and facility rental fee inconsistencies.

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#ID #EducationPolicy #PublicNotice #CommunityInput #CitizenPortal
Board sends suspension-policy forms back to committee, eyes revisions to facility-rental fees and policy tracking
Trustees sent student-discipline policy 3330 and its related forms back to the policy committee for further alignment after debate over threat-assessment language; the board also discussed facility rental fee inconsistencies, the 75% in-district roster rule for nonprofit discounts, and restoring policy-tracking and parent-notification protocols.
citizenportal.ai
December 15, 2025 at 11:17 PM
Meridian City Council has approved a controversial development that balances commercial flex space with luxury storage condos, sparking debate among residents over traffic and neighborhood integrity.

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#MeridianAdaCounty #ID #NeighborhoodPlanning #CommunityInput #CitizenPortal
Meridian council approves Meridian Luxe rezone and development agreement with conditions
Meridian City Council approved a rezone and development agreement modification for Meridian Luxe (H2025-0035) at 2350 W McMillan Rd to allow mixed commercial/flex space and 41 storage condos, adding landscaping, fencing and access conditions; the motion passed 3–1.
citizenportal.ai
December 13, 2025 at 2:15 AM
Exciting progress is underway for Rathdrum's new City Hall campus, with construction on track for a spring 2027 move-in and innovative park amenities on the horizon!

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#RathdrumKootenaiCounty #ID #PublicInput #CommunityWellness #SustainableDesign #RathdrumParks #CitizenPortal
Rathdrum staff update City Hall campus, show recycled-window benches and outline costs for fitness court
City staff reported footings poured for the new City Hall basement and said the campus move is scheduled for spring 2027. Commissioners reviewed park-name public input, examined recycled-window park benches (arch ~$8,400; Yosemite ~$3,800) and were warned a full outdoor fitness court could cost about $246,000 after a $30,000 grant.
citizenportal.ai
December 13, 2025 at 1:59 AM
Pocatello City Council has taken a bold step for economic growth by approving a 30-year lease and multiple airport development projects that will transform the local aviation landscape.

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#PocatelloCityBannockCounty #ID #PocatelloAirport #EconomicDevelopment #PublicAviation
Pocatello council approves 30‑year airport lease and three airport project agreements
Council rescinded a prior airport lease and approved a 30‑year lease with ZR2 LLC for about 12 acres at $30,000 per year, and also approved amendments and work orders for airport projects including a fee increase for Ardura and a taxi lane utility work order funded by state and grant funds.
citizenportal.ai
December 12, 2025 at 3:43 PM
Rathdrum is gearing up for a major transformation with a proposed $8 million widening of Lancaster Road, seeking $3 million in federal aid to kickstart the project!

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#RathdrumKootenaiCounty #ID #RathdrumPublicWorks #CommunitySafety #CitizenPortal #InfrastructureDevelopment
Council backs resolution to support federal-aid grant for Lancaster Road widening
Public works staff told council the city will seek roughly $3 million in federal aid toward a $7–8 million Lancaster Road widening project between Highway 41 and Meyer Road; council adopted a resolution authorizing the mayor to support the grant application and LTAC funding.
citizenportal.ai
December 12, 2025 at 12:46 PM
Major changes are on the horizon for Rathdrum's land use as the council reviews proposed maps that could redefine city impact boundaries and zoning laws!

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#RathdrumKootenaiCounty #ID #CitizenPortal #ZoningChanges #RathdrumCityPlanning #LandUseReform #PublicOutreach
Council reviews proposed future land use map and explains changes to area-of-city-impact rules
Staff presented proposed future land use map changes and explained recent Idaho law revisions eliminating shared AOI tiers; staff emphasized AOI status does not force annexation and the county remains the ultimate land-use authority for unincorporated property.
citizenportal.ai
December 12, 2025 at 12:44 PM
Rathdrum's police chief unveils new crime metrics revealing theft as the top concern, while public works addresses a sewer rupture crisis with urgent community notifications.

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#RathdrumKootenaiCounty #ID #DataTransparency #RathdrumPolice #CommunityNotifications #PublicSafety
Police present new crime-reporting metrics; city details sewer rupture response and public notifications
Rathdrum police presented new month-over-month and year-to-date crime statistics showing theft as the primary Part 1 crime and 42 K9 deployment requests; public works described a recent sewer rupture reported to DEQ and the city's media and reverse-911 notification efforts.
citizenportal.ai
December 12, 2025 at 12:43 PM
Kootenai County officials are raising alarms over mining practices that threaten the Rathdrum Prairie Aquifer's water quality—could your drinking water be at risk?

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#KootenaiCounty #ID #WaterQuality #MiningRegulations #CommunitySafety #CitizenPortal
County staff seeks direction to draft mining-code amendment after nearby mining breached aquifer layer
Kootenai County staff asked the board to allow drafting a mining-code amendment after staff identified cases in an adjacent county where open mining penetrated a layer that allowed aquifer water to surface and be converted to home sites, posing water-quality concerns.
citizenportal.ai
December 12, 2025 at 9:45 AM
Meridian's council just approved a groundbreaking agreement with Toll Brothers to fast-track the McDermott sewer trunk line, ensuring financial protections for the city while paving the way for future growth!

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#MeridianAdaCounty #ID #PublicInfrastructure #CivicCollaboration
Meridian council approves cooperative agreement with Toll Brothers to accelerate McDermott sewer trunk line
Council approved a public‑private agreement with Toll Brothers to build a portion of the McDermott sewer trunk line early; Toll Brothers will pay construction costs upfront and the city will reimburse 50% later, with contract protections including a 10% bid off‑ramp and a 5% cap on city change‑order exposure.
citizenportal.ai
December 12, 2025 at 8:14 AM
Meridian's city planners are exploring innovative alternatives to the costly 3rd Street extension, aiming for safer, more connected downtown spaces while minimizing disruption to homes.

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#MeridianAdaCounty #ID #EconomicDevelopment #PublicSafety #CitizenPortal #UrbanConnectivty
Meridian staff recommends lower-cost 2½‑Street corridor and pedestrian options as alternative to costly 3rd Street extension
A city planning presentation outlined alternatives to extending 3rd Street through a residential area, favoring a blended 2½‑Street alignment, pedestrian hybrid beacons and modest traffic circles to improve downtown connectivity while avoiding large right‑of‑way takings and multimillion‑dollar overpasses.
citizenportal.ai
December 12, 2025 at 7:13 AM
Hayden City Council is taking a bold step to evaluate its law-enforcement needs by seeking proposals for an independent consultant, igniting a debate over costs and accountability in the community.

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#HaydenCityKootenaiCounty #ID #LawEnforcementReview #CitizenPortal
Hayden council votes to seek proposals for independent review of law-enforcement services
After public comment and council debate over costs and accountability, Hayden City Council voted 3–1 to solicit proposals for an independent strategic-planning consultant to evaluate local law-enforcement service options and costs.
citizenportal.ai
December 12, 2025 at 6:37 AM
Kootenai County is embroiled in a heated debate over AOI mapping and boundary disputes just weeks before a crucial Dec. 18 hearing—will they find common ground?

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#KootenaiCounty #ID #KootenaiCountyCommunity #CommunityInvolvement #LocalGovernance #LandUsePlanning
Kootenai County and cities spar over AOI maps, notice procedures and boundary inclusions ahead of Dec. 18 hearing
County staff briefed the board on proposed Area of Impact (AOI) maps and a plan to use the state 15‑day notice for a map-only submittal; city attorneys and the City of Hauser’s counsel urged inclusion and raised boundary, notice and revenue-sharing concerns ahead of the Dec. 18 hearing.
citizenportal.ai
December 12, 2025 at 6:29 AM
The Post Falls City Council has approved the annexation of 18.11 acres for new single-family homes, igniting a heated debate over traffic, safety, and community character.

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#PostFallsKootenaiCounty #ID #CommunityDevelopment #PublicTestimony #UrbanPlanning #PostFallsAnnexation
Post Falls council approves Maguire annexation after hours of testimony
After more than two hours of public testimony, the Post Falls City Council voted to annex about 18.11 acres at Maguire and Poline (ANX-25-4) and adopt R2 zoning limited to detached single-family homes; council cited rights-of-way, pedestrian connectivity and utilities as driving reasons despite resident concerns about traffic, aquifer risks and density.
citizenportal.ai
December 12, 2025 at 5:47 AM
Moscow has surpassed the 51% threshold with a 56.6% low-to-moderate-income survey result, regaining eligibility for crucial Idaho Community Development Block Grants!

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#MoscowCityLatahCounty #ID #CommunityDevelopment #PublicInfrastructure #MoscowLMI #CivicEngagement #CitizenPortal
Moscow reports 56.6% LMI in door‑knock survey, restoring eligibility for Idaho CDBG grants
City staff reported collecting 301 survey responses and a 56.6% low‑to‑moderate‑income result, surpassing the 51% threshold and making Moscow eligible again for Idaho Community Development Block Grant funding; next steps include Department of Commerce certification and planning for projects such as a restroom at Lola Clyde Park.
citizenportal.ai
December 12, 2025 at 4:55 AM
A Rathdrum homeowner is fighting back after her property tax exemption was abruptly revoked due to a mysterious out-of-state notice—could this be a case of miscommunication or something more sinister?

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#KootenaiCounty #ID #HomeownerExemption #GovernmentTransparency #CitizenPortal
Kootenai County homeowner appeals removal of exemption, alleges improper out-of-state notice and possible targeting; hearing continued
An appellant whose homeowner exemption was removed told the Kootenai County Board of Equalization she lives in Rathdrum and that an ineligibility notice was hand-delivered out of state; assessor staff cited State Tax Commission records showing nonresident filings and zero personal-use days. The board set a follow-up hearing for Dec. 17 for the appellant to provide documentation.
citizenportal.ai
December 12, 2025 at 12:54 AM
Tensions rise in Kootenai County as commissioners prepare for a critical mediation on the future of the Hayden Area Regional Sewer Board—will volunteer support vanish if the county takes control?

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#KootenaiCounty #ID #PublicComment #KootenaiCountySewerBoard #LocalGovernance
Commissioners enter executive session after review of mediation for Hayden Area Regional Sewer Board dissolution
Commissioner Duncan said mediation over the Hayden Area Regional Sewer Board dissolution begins the next day and reviewed attorney guidance. After public comment raised concerns, the board voted unanimously to go into executive session under Idaho Code 74-206(1)(d) and later voted to exit with staff directed to proceed as discussed.
citizenportal.ai
December 12, 2025 at 12:48 AM
Kootenai County is on the brink of a game-changing decision: should they accept a donated helicopter that could enhance rescue operations but comes with potential legal and financial risks?

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#KootenaiCounty #ID #CivicAccountability #PublicSafety #CitizenPortal
Kootenai County commissioners weigh accepting donated helicopter amid liability, training and insurance questions
Lieutenant Mark Ellis told commissioners the sheriff’s office wants to keep a helicopter donated by a nonprofit, citing lifesaving uses and investigative value. Commissioners pressed for outside counsel review of a donation agreement and the unit’s operations manual to clarify liability, maintenance responsibility and insurance before accepting the aircraft.
citizenportal.ai
December 12, 2025 at 12:47 AM
Kootenai County is embarking on a groundbreaking 20-year comprehensive plan that not only addresses housing and infrastructure challenges but also introduces its first-ever parks and recreation master plan—how will your community shape its future?

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#KootenaiCounty #ID
Kootenai County launches comprehensive-plan update with first-ever parks master-plan component
SCJ Alliance kicked off a countywide comprehensive-plan update Dec. 4, 2025, presenting growth projections, a parks and waterways assessment and a public-engagement schedule; consultants highlighted housing affordability, infrastructure concurrency and water-quality risks as top issues.
citizenportal.ai
December 12, 2025 at 12:46 AM