HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025-07-28 Valerie James1
Chris Johnson
From:Lucas Cavener
Sent:Tuesday, July 29, 2025 6:24 PM
To:Chris Johnson
Subject:FW: Levy and foregone
Can you add this, I must have sent it to the wrong email.
From: Lucas Cavener <lcavener@meridiancity.org>
Sent: Monday, July 28, 2025 8:23 PM
To: Clerks Office <ClerksOffice@meridiancity.org>
Subject: Fw: Levy and foregone
Can we add this to the record for the levy?
From: Valerie James <valerie4adacounty@gmail.com>
Sent: Monday, July 28, 2025 7:03:23 PM
To: Lucas Cavener <lcavener@meridiancity.org>
Subject: Levy and foregone
External Sender - Please use caution with links or attachments.
Hello Councilman Cavener,
I know we’ve spoken a few times about the proposed levy, and I wanted to put a few thoughts in writing
before tomorrow’s discussion.
I support paying our police officers competitively so we retain a strong and professional force. I’ve heard
that the Sheriff’s department may offer higher pay—though I haven’t confirmed that myself—and I
understand the concern about retention.
I also support our firefighters and other first responders, but I was disappointed by the SAFER grant. That
previous council vote knew it would force either a future tax increase or layoffs after we had already
invested in custom equipment. That kind of planning is hard to defend.
I strongly support Meridian prosecuting its own cases and ending the dependence on Boise’s
prosecutor’s office.
As for the potential levy: I’m not sure how I’ll vote if it goes to the ballot in November. I’m concerned we
just approved a raise for the mayor, are looking at additional foregone taxes, and may now be preparing
to ask voters for even more. That’s a tough sequence.
As a retiree, I don’t receive any cost-of-living increase unless I go back to work. I wonder how many
Meridian property owners are in a similar position? I hope the council has some data on that—and takes
it seriously when making decisions.
2
My household has always supported public safety as a core city priority. But I hope this council
remembers prudence—asking only what’s necessary, and understanding the real financial strain on
families. Despite what the federal government says about inflation or economic recovery, most of us are
still catching up after COVID, dealing with high living costs, tuition, housing, and investment losses.
We love living in a safe, family-oriented city and I have lived primarily in Meridian since 1992. But after
listening to the recent discussion about council and mayor compensation, it’s clear not everyone shares
your public servant mindset. I appreciated your remarks and wanted to say thank you.
It’s expensive out here in the real world. Please take that into account tomorrow.
Sincerely,
Mrs. Valerie James
Meridian, ID