HomeMy WebLinkAbout25-2528 Levy Election CITY OF MERIDIAN RESOLUTION NO. 25-2528
BY THE CITY COUNCIL: CAVENER,LITTLE ROBERTS, OVERTON,
STRADER, TAYLOR,WHITLOCK
A RESOLUTION CALLING A LEVY ELECTION TO BE HELD ON NOVEMBER 4,2025
PURSUANT TO IDAHO CODE SECTION 63-802(1)(g); DESIGNATING THE COUNTY
CLERK OF ADA COUNTY AS THE ADMINISTRATOR OF THE ELECTION;
APPROVING THE FORM OF BALLOT; APPROVING THE FORM OF NOTICE OF
LEVY ELECTION; DIRECTING THE CITY CLERK TO CONVEY THE FORM OF
BALLOT AND FORM OF NOTICE OF LEVY ELECTION TO THE COUNTY CLERK
OF ADA COUNTY; DESIGNATING THE ADA COUNTY BOARD OF
COMMISSIONERS AS THE CANVASSING BOARD; AND PROVIDING AN
EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS,the City of Meridian has long prioritized responsible budgeting and the
efficient use of taxpayer dollars; and,
WHEREAS, as one of the fastest-growing cities in Idaho, the City of Meridian has
worked hard to meet the needs of a growing population while maintaining a conservative fiscal
approach; and,
WHEREAS,rising costs due to inflation and declining revenues from contributing
factors such as reduced new construction and legislative changes limiting the ability of local
taxing districts to increase their budgets are adversely impacting the City of Meridian's ability to
fund critical public safety services and meet the community's high expectations for fire, police,
and prosecutorial services; and,
WHEREAS, to ensure the City of Meridian can provide consistent, high-quality public
safety services now and into the future, a reliable funding source is necessary for specific public
safety needs, regardless of fluctuations in other revenue streams; and,
WHEREAS,pursuant to Idaho Code section 63-802(1)(g), the City of Meridian may
increase its budget and levy by$5,018,125.71 to provide reliable funding for firefighters, police
officers, and a prosecution unit if sixty percent(60%) or more of the qualified electors voting on
the budget and levy increase approve;
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF MERIDIAN, IDAHO:
Section 1. That a levy election be held, and the same is hereby called to be held, in the
City of Meridian on Tuesday,November 4, 2025, for the purpose of submitting to the qualified
electors of the City of Meridian the question set out in the Form of Ballot appearing in Section 3
below.
Section 2. That pursuant to Title 34, Idaho Code, the County Clerk of Ada County,
Idaho shall administer the levy election, including, but not limited to, designating the polling
RESOLUTION CONCERNING NOVEMBER 4,2025 LEVY ELECTION Pagel of 3
places, scheduling the polling times; preparing and printing the ballots; publishing the notice of
levy election and sample ballot; and conducting the levy election.
Section 3. That the ballot will be in substantially the following form:
***FORM OF BALLOT***
OFFICIAL BALLOT
LEVY ELECTION PER IDAHO CODE § 63-802(1)(g)
CITY OF MERIDIAN, IDAHO
November 4, 2025
Shall the City Council of the City of Meridian ("City")be authorized and empowered to increase
the City's budget and levy,pursuant to Idaho Code section 63-802(1)(g), by $5,018,125.71 to
provide ongoing funding for firefighters,police officers, and a prosecution unit?
The levy will be used to (1) retain 13 firefighter positions following the exhaustion of grant
funds; (2) increase police officer wages to recruit and retain officers; and(3) fund a prosecution
unit to prosecute crimes. The date of the election is November 4, 2025. The City will collect
$5,018,125.71 from the levy, beyond any amount otherwise allowed by law, beginning with the
fiscal year commencing on October 1, 2026, which amount will be added to the City's annual
budget for the purposes of Idaho Code section 63-802 and continue each fiscal year thereafter.
The estimated average annual cost to the taxpayer will be a tax of$20.11 per$100,000 of taxable
assessed value,per year, based on current conditions.
IN FAVOR of authorizing the budget and levy increase in the amount of$5,018,125.71.
AGAINST authorizing the budget and levy increase in the amount of$5,018,125.71.
***END OF FORM OF BALLOT***
Section 4. The Notice of Levy Election shall be substantially in the following form:
***FORM OF NOTICE OF LEVY ELECTION***
NOTICE OF LEVY ELECTION PER IDAHO CODE
Pursuant to the laws of the State of Idaho and City of Meridian Resolution No. 25-2528, notice is
hereby given that a levy election will be held in the City of Meridian on November 4, 2025,
beginning at the hour of 8:00 a.m. and closing at the hour of 8:00 p.m., for the purpose of
submitting to the qualified electors of the City of Meridian the following question for their vote:
Shall the City Council of the City of Meridian("City")be authorized and empowered to
increase the City's budget and levy, pursuant to Idaho Code section 63-802(1)(g),by
RESOLUTION CONCERNING NOVEMBER 4,2025 LEVY ELECTION Page 2 of 3
$5,018,125.71 to provide ongoing funding for firefighters, police officers, and a
prosecution unit?
The levy will be used to (1) retain 13 firefighter positions following the exhaustion of
grant funds; (2) increase police officer wages to recruit and retain officers; and(3) fund
a prosecution unit to prosecute crimes. The date of the election is November 4, 2025.
The City will collect $5,018,125.71 from the levy, beyond any amount otherwise
allowed by law, beginning with the fiscal year commencing on October 1, 2026, which
amount will be added to the City's annual budget for the purposes of Idaho Code
section 63-802 and continue each fiscal year thereafter. The estimated average annual
cost to the taxpayer will be a tax of$20.11 per$100,000 of taxable assessed value,per
year, based on current conditions.
Said election shall be conducted pursuant to Title 34, Idaho Code.
***END FORM OF NOTICE OF LEVY ELECTION***
Section 5. That the City Clerk of the City of Meridian shall convey to the County Clerk
of Ada County, Idaho the Form of Ballot and Form of Notice of Levy Election, as set forth in
Sections 3 and 4 herein, for election preparation and publication pursuant to Idaho Code.
Section 6. That the County Commissioners of Ada County, Idaho, will act as the
canvassing board pursuant to Idaho Code and convey the election results to the City of Meridian.
Section 7. That if the ballot question is approved by sixty percent(60%) or more of the
qualified electors voting on the question, the budget and levy increase shall be approved pursuant
to Idaho Code section 63-802(1)(g).
Section 8. That this Resolution shall be in full force and effect immediately upon its
adoption and approval.
ADOPTED by the City Council of the City of Meridian, Idaho, this 29th day of
JuIY , 2025.
APPROVED by the Mayor of the City of Meridian, Idaho, this 29th day of
July , 2025.
APPROVED:
Robert E. Simison, Mayor
ATTEST:
By:
Chris Johnson, City Clerk
RESOLUTION CONCERNING NOVEMBER 4,2025 LEVY ELECTION Page 3 of 3