HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-07-27 Chamber Of Commerce Meridian Businesses
Charlene Way
From:Sean Evans <ceo@meridianchamber.org>
Sent:Saturday, July 26, 2025 10:21 AM
To:Brian Whitlock; Liz Strader; Doug Taylor; John Overton; Anne Little Roberts; Lucas
Cavener; Robert Simison; Clerks Comment
Cc:Dave Miles; Chris Johnson
Subject:Business Community Responds to Survey on Public Safety Levy Proposal
Attachments:Position Statement on the Proposed Meridian Public Safety Levy.docx
External Sender - Please use caution with links or attachments.
Dear Mayor Simison and Members of the Meridian City Council,
On behalf of the Meridian Chamber of Commerce and the broader Meridian business community, I am pleased to
share the attached position statement regarding the proposed Public Safety Levy currently under your
consideration.
As the voice of over 900 member businesses, the Chamber recently conducted a survey to better understand the
perspectives of our local employers, commercial property owners, and residents on this important issue. The
feedback we received reflects a diverse set of viewpoints, with a majority expressing support for the levy and many
others seeking more information or raising thoughtful concerns.
Given this range of perspectives, the Chamber has adopted a position of neutrality while committing to continued
outreach and education. We believe this approach honors the input of our members and reinforces our role as a
trusted source of balanced information.
The attached statement outlines our survey findings, key member feedback, and the Chamber’s plan to support
transparency, fiscal responsibility, and long-term public safety solutions.
We appreciate your leadership and thank you for considering the voices of Meridian’s business community as part
of your deliberation process.
I wish I could be there this coming Tuesday for the City Council meeting to share this information, but I am
currently out of town. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if we can provide additional context before the meeting or
support in the weeks ahead.
Respectfully,
Sean Evans
President/CEO
Direct: 208.577.2440
Cell: 208.484.0489
Email: ceo@meridianchamber.org
1
Position Statement on the Proposed Meridian Public Safety Levy
Adopted by the Meridian Chamber of Commerce
The Meridian Chamber of Commerce appreciates the opportunity to gather input from our
members regarding the proposed Public Safety Levy currently under consideration by the
Meridian City Council. As the voice of the local business community, we are committed to
representing a broad range of perspectives while promoting policies that foster a safe, vibrant,
and economically sustainable city.
Between July 22–25, 2025, the Chamber conducted a survey of our membership to assess
awareness, support, and perceived impact of the proposed levy. A total of 88 respondents
participated, representing a mix of commercial property owners, business operators, and
Meridian residents.
Key Findings:
Awareness: Nearly 58% of respondents were aware of the proposed levy prior to the survey.
For those who were not, email was overwhelmingly cited as the preferred method for receiving
more information, with several respondents specifically citing the Chamber as a trusted source
of updates.
Support for the Levy: A combined 67.4% of respondents expressed some level of support for
the proposed levy (39.77% strongly support; 27.27% somewhat support), while 23.86%
expressed opposition and 9.09% were undecided or needed more information.
Impact on Business: 39.77% believe the levy would positively impact their business or the
broader business community, while 26.14% anticipate no significant impact. Approximately
15.91% felt the impact would be negative, and 11.36% were unsure.
Chamber’s Role: When asked what role the Chamber should take, 45.98% recommended that
the Chamber remain neutral and focus on providing information. 37.93% believed the Chamber
should publicly support the levy, while only 5.75% felt the Chamber should oppose it. Nearly
10% suggested gathering more feedback before determining a position.
Our Position:
The Meridian Chamber of Commerce recognizes the essential role that well-funded public
safety services play in ensuring a thriving business climate and maintaining Meridian’s status as
a safe and attractive place to live and work. The feedback from our membership indicates a
majority in favor of the levy or supportive with caveats, alongside a smaller but vocal minority
expressing concerns about cost, transparency, and long-term financial strategy.
Given the feedback from within the business community, the Chamber remains neutral on the
proposed levy, with a continued focus on education, outreach, and dialogue. While nearly 68%
of respondents support the levy, this approach allows us to respect the diversity of viewpoints
among our members while remaining a trusted resource for information.
The Chamber will continue to:
- Share accurate and timely updates on the proposed levy with members;
- Encourage informed civic engagement and dialogue within the business community;
- Support efforts by the City to address public safety staffing and retention in a fiscally
responsible and transparent manner;
- Advocate at the State level to ensure local agencies have revenue and tools to
maintain sound long-term budgetary planning to meet core service needs.
We thank our members for their thoughtful responses and remain committed to ensuring that
the voice of business continues to be heard in shaping Meridian’s future.
Sean Evans
President/CEO
Meridian Chamber of Commerce