OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Murphy City Council Regular Meeting – September 2, 2025

City Council — Tuesday, September 2, 2025
BodyIdaho Falls, Idaho
SessionCity Council
DateTuesday, September 2, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:03:07

Transcript — Verbatim
0:03

Welcome as I call the order, the September 2nd, a regular city council meeting.

0:08

Uh time is 6 p.m.

0:10

Rise with me as I offer the indication, lead flight for legiance.

0:18

Our Heavenly Father bless us as we consider the agenda in front of us tonight.

0:22

Give us the wisdom to act with compassion and vision for what is best for the community.

0:26

Bless and watch over our public safety officials and the community they serve.

0:30

In your name we pray.

0:31

Amen.

0:33

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands.

0:40

One nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice.

0:55

All right, I'll turn the time over to uh City Secretary Will and Certification Reform.

1:00

Mayor Scott Radley?

1:01

Here.

1:01

Mayor Pro Tim Elizabeth Abraham.

1:04

Deputy Mayor Pro Tim Janay Butler.

1:06

Here.

1:06

Councilmember please two Scott Smith.

1:09

Here.

1:09

Councilmember please three injured Chay.

1:11

Here.

1:12

Council member place four can open.

1:14

Here.

1:14

Council member place five Laura Deals.

1:17

Mayor certified by the presence of a quorum.

1:20

Thank you very much.

1:22

All right.

1:23

We will move into public comments.

1:24

It's time we set aside on the agenda to allow residents to address council on an item not on the agenda this evening.

1:30

I do have two public comment forms.

1:32

If you haven't had a chance to fill one out, you'll have a chance after I call these individuals up.

1:36

Mr.

1:37

Little.

1:55

Good evening all.

1:57

I wish to comment on two separate topics that can become intertwined.

2:02

But first I wish to apologize to you for repeatedly asking for data and seeking explanations for actions of staff and council.

2:09

I'm merely trying to understand some of the actions taken by staff and council and to comprehend the spending priorities and justification for some of the spending.

2:19

It may appear that I am asking the same question or seeking the same data numerous times.

2:24

However, I'm only trying to obtain clear and concise information and have yet to receive it.

2:28

I have often asked each council member the same question because I hope that each of you can think independently and form opinions of your own.

2:47

As an example, I asked each of you if you had to estimate the monthly and yearly negative impact the proposed substantial tax and fee increases will have on the average household.

2:59

I stated that I calculated it to be at least $500 per year and have now revised it to close to a thousand.

3:06

I got a response from only one council member, which did not include an estimate of the negative impact.

3:12

Another example, uh in another example, I asked questions regarding the stormwater rate study, received replies, and still do not understand the math.

3:21

I asked to meet with someone that could explain it to me, and I'm still waiting waiting on response.

3:25

Another, I asked for clarification for what was presented at the budget session July 31st, and what was pre presented in the council meeting August 19th, since slides uh from each conflict with each other.

3:41

One showed an average household homestead tax bill will decrease $61, and the other showed an increase of $123.

3:50

I have yet to receive clarity on this.

3:53

These examples bring me to two topics I wish to address.

3:56

Transparency and the proposed budget.

3:58

I'll shelve the proposed budget till next time, because I don't I will run out of time.

4:03

City leaders have stated numerous times that the workings of the city and leaders are transparent.

4:10

Are they in all matters?

4:11

Sadly, the city's government of Murphy is not.

4:14

In fact, consultant staff and council members have used deception to avoid transparency transparency.

4:21

Where there is deception, there is no transparency.

4:24

If all is transparent, there is no deception.

4:28

Deception can be achieved via numerous forms, lies, ambiguous or evasive language to avoid a direct answer, concealment, exaggeration, understatement, half-truths, gaslighting, fabrication, and false accusations.

4:41

During the FY26 presentation, when a staff member states that the proposed new property tax rate will reduce the tax on the average home by $61, but omits the fact that the average homestead bill will increase $123 is deception.

5:00

Every year since New Gen started the water and wastewater rate analysis for the city, their presentation has been rife with deception.

5:08

For years, the analysis of the city used city comparisons of 10K water, 10K wastewater.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Public Engagement███████████████████████23%
Engineering And Infrastructure██████████████████18%
Procedural████████████12%
Community Engagement████████████12%
Veterans Affairs███████7%
Planning And Zoning███████7%
Budget Equity Analysis██████6%
Mental Health Awareness█████5%
Religious Accommodations█████5%
Summary of Proceedings

Murphy City Council Regular Meeting – September 2, 2025

On September 2, 2025, the Murphy City Council held its regular meeting at 6 p.m., with all members present and a quorum certified. The meeting featured public comments on transparency and the proposed budget, a graduation ceremony for the Citizens Academy, and approval of several infrastructure and development items.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Mr. Little (resident): Expressed frustration with the city's transparency, particularly regarding tax and fee increases. He estimated the negative impact on an average household at $1,000 per year and alleged that staff and council used deception in presenting rate studies and budget figures. He pointed to conflicting slides – one showing a $61 decrease and another a $123 increase in the average homestead tax bill – as evidence. He also criticized the stormwater rate study and the withholding of data on water rate scenarios.
  • Mary Lang (board member, Murphy Veterans Tribute; resident): Provided an update on the veterans tribute project. She read from an email exchange with City Manager Aretha Adams, noting that the city manager stated council would not consider further proclamations and that the project, wherever it lands, will be modest (around $50,000). Ms. Lang requested a meeting to discuss next steps and expressed disappointment that no drawings or specifics had been provided.

Discussion Items

  • Citizens Academy Graduation (Item 6a): Staff presented a recap of the seven-session program. The academy included sessions on city administration, economic development, police/court, fire rescue, public works, parks/recreation, and internal services. Participants engaged in mock council meetings, budget simulations, and hands-on activities (e.g., shooting a simulator, operating a backhoe, designing a park). The community project was a series of short videos highlighting city services. Engagement metrics exceeded goals: 15–20 questions per session, 89% average quiz score, and 100% overall goal achievement. Graduation certificates were presented to participants.
  • Final Plat – Murray Center for Islamic Knowledge (Item 8C): Planning Director Reagan explained that the plat is for an existing tract subdivided by meets and bounds years ago. The applicant intends to submit a future site plan for a religious center. The lot is zoned SF-15, and religious use is a permitted non-residential use. The plat is needed because any improvements exceeding 50% of the current tax roll value require a plat on file. The council approved the plat unanimously.
  • Replat – Murphy Village Edition Fire Lane Easement (Item 9A): Public hearing held and closed. The replat removes a redundant fire lane easement to allow delivery trucks to park on site. The fire department agreed with the removal. Approved unanimously.
  • McMillan Road Paving & Drainage Design (Item 9B): Staff (Jared) presented a resolution authorizing a $753,370 engineering services agreement with Burfhoff Hendricks and Carter LLP for design work on McMillan Road, including a 37-foot concrete roadway, curb/gutter, eight-foot trail, drainage improvements, and a traffic signal. The bridge widening is included but subject to a flood study. Approved unanimously.
  • Right Turn Lane – FM 544 & McCreary Road (Item 9C): Resolution authorizing a $141,750 agreement for design work on a right turn lane at the southwest corner (by CVS). Funded by the Murphy Municipal Development District. The project will remove a small city monument sign, relocate utilities and traffic lights, and reopen coordination with Wiley for signal modifications (aiming for a double left turn lane). No specific timeline; HEB is expected to open June 2026. Approved unanimously.
  • 2025 Street Panel Replacements (Item 9D): Resolution awarding a $361,000 contract to Cam Creek Contracting for street panel replacements on McCreary Road and several other streets (Briar Oak, Bear Creek, Post Oak, Lakefield, Spring Ridge). Approved unanimously.
  • Kinney Drive Repairs (Item 9E): Resolution awarding a $138,250 contract to Cam Creek Contracting to complete repairs left unfinished by a previous contractor (who ran out of money). Work includes asphalt restoration, concrete valve boxes, a fire hydrant replacement, and drainage ditch restoration. The city is pursuing legal remedies against the previous contractor. Approved unanimously.

Key Outcomes

  • Votes: All consent agenda items (A, B, and D) and individual items 8C, 9A, 9B, 9C, 9D, and 9E were approved unanimously.
  • Future Agenda Items: An update on the veterans tribute is scheduled for late September; updates on trails (requested by Councilmember Chase) and National Night Out (requested by Mayor Pro Tem Abraham) are forthcoming. Councilmember Butler requested follow-up on PISD busing changes and state legislative impacts.
  • Next Meeting: September 16, 2025, at 6 p.m.

Meeting Transcript

Welcome as I call the order, the September 2nd, a regular city council meeting. Uh time is 6 p.m. Rise with me as I offer the indication, lead flight for legiance. Our Heavenly Father bless us as we consider the agenda in front of us tonight. Give us the wisdom to act with compassion and vision for what is best for the community. Bless and watch over our public safety officials and the community they serve. In your name we pray. Amen. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice. All right, I'll turn the time over to uh City Secretary Will and Certification Reform. Mayor Scott Radley? Here. Mayor Pro Tim Elizabeth Abraham. Deputy Mayor Pro Tim Janay Butler. Here. Councilmember please two Scott Smith. Here. Councilmember please three injured Chay. Here. Council member place four can open. Here. Council member place five Laura Deals. Mayor certified by the presence of a quorum. Thank you very much. All right. We will move into public comments. It's time we set aside on the agenda to allow residents to address council on an item not on the agenda this evening. I do have two public comment forms. If you haven't had a chance to fill one out, you'll have a chance after I call these individuals up. Mr. Little. Good evening all. I wish to comment on two separate topics that can become intertwined. But first I wish to apologize to you for repeatedly asking for data and seeking explanations for actions of staff and council. I'm merely trying to understand some of the actions taken by staff and council and to comprehend the spending priorities and justification for some of the spending. It may appear that I am asking the same question or seeking the same data numerous times. However, I'm only trying to obtain clear and concise information and have yet to receive it. I have often asked each council member the same question because I hope that each of you can think independently and form opinions of your own. As an example, I asked each of you if you had to estimate the monthly and yearly negative impact the proposed substantial tax and fee increases will have on the average household. I stated that I calculated it to be at least $500 per year and have now revised it to close to a thousand. I got a response from only one council member, which did not include an estimate of the negative impact. Another example, uh in another example, I asked questions regarding the stormwater rate study, received replies, and still do not understand the math. I asked to meet with someone that could explain it to me, and I'm still waiting waiting on response. Another, I asked for clarification for what was presented at the budget session July 31st, and what was pre presented in the council meeting August 19th, since slides uh from each conflict with each other. One showed an average household homestead tax bill will decrease $61, and the other showed an increase of $123. I have yet to receive clarity on this. These examples bring me to two topics I wish to address. Transparency and the proposed budget. I'll shelve the proposed budget till next time, because I don't I will run out of time.

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