Nampa City Council Meeting: Department Updates and Infrastructure Discussion – April 22, 2026

The Nampa City Council met on April 22, 2026, to receive department updates from Utility Billing, Water and Irrigation, and Water Renewal, focusing on fiscal year 2026-27 budget preparations, staffing, and long-term infrastructure needs. Key discussions included monthly billing transition, aging water and sewer infrastructure, deferred maintenance costs totaling over $600 million, and potential funding mechanisms such as a permanent levy override.

Discussion Items

• Utility Billing (presented by Alpha): The department processes water, sewer, trash, irrigation, assessments, and LIDs. FY26 goals include moving toward monthly billing (target FY28), evaluating costs, and maintaining customer satisfaction. To offset rising mailing and preparation costs, the city is considering charging customers for paper bills and promoting free online billing. The department handled 162,786 bills and 149,238 payments year-to-date. A small leak detection kit was developed. No additional staff were requested for FY27, but space constraints were noted. Councilman Bills raised concerns about phone tree wait times and staffing levels given population growth. The city partners with Nampa Shares of Cares (208-467-6586) for customer assistance, funded by limited COVID-era allocations (~$350,000 remaining).
• Water and Irrigation (presented by John Spencer): The division maintains $2 billion in infrastructure (27,000 valves, 6,500 fire hydrants, 1,200 miles of pipe). FY26 accomplishments include completing a new water tank and exercising 8,000+ valves. The city serves 12.4 billion gallons of water annually; per capita use is declining, but overall demand grows. Nampa has the second-lowest water rates in the region. The division requests $64,000 for a license and promotion policy to retain staff, given high turnover and competition. Deferred infrastructure: 40 miles of domestic pipe (50-70 years old) at $1.65M/mile, and 18.42 miles of irrigation pipe (over 50 years) at $1.3M/mile. External cost pressures include Nampa Meridian Irrigation District contract renegotiation (~$300,000/year increase), PFOS testing ($22,000/year), lead/copper rule compliance ($6,000/year), and DEQ service line evaluations (~$200,000 anticipated).
• Water Renewal (presented by Tom Point and John Spencer): The division has 49 employees, $46M budget, serves 11,000 customers. Goals include shifting from 50% corrective maintenance to 70% preventive. The department is building an in-house cured-in-place pipe (CIPP) crew, expected to save 60% vs. contracting, increasing from 1-2 miles to 3-5 miles per year at the same cost. Staffing modifications requested: convert a half-time lab position to full-time, and a lead position to a supervisor. The license/promotion policy also applies here. A five-year sewer pipe replacement plan identifies 3.5 miles needing replacement ($10-20M) and 72 miles beyond 7 years. The water garden project (design 100% complete) is funded by grants and private donations. The Purdom Eustach sewer main project is ongoing. Reuse water program received an award and is being used in the Phyllis Canal.
• Infrastructure Needs and Funding (presented by Tom Point): The combined immediate deferred maintenance (failed or poor condition) is $245 million, with an additional $362 million in needs over the next five years (aging infrastructure). This does not include stormwater master plan costs. To address these, the city would need additional project managers, inspectors, and support staff, but space is limited. Councilman Bills suggested a permanent levy override; Council President proposed analyzing a $50 million per year permanent levy override, noting the November ballot deadline. Other funding options include rates, impact fees, and a transportation registration fee. The city is also exploring innovative funding through private donations for water quality credits.

Key Outcomes

• The council directed staff to prepare a report on utility billing transaction volumes, wait times, and staffing needs for budget discussions.
• Council expressed support for the license and promotion policy to retain water and water renewal staff, with funding from anticipated growth.
• Council requested a detailed analysis of a $50 million permanent levy override, including cost per household, to be presented by June for potential November ballot.
• Staff will continue evaluating space needs for additional personnel if infrastructure spending increases, and will coordinate with the city's real estate options.
• No formal votes were taken; decisions were directional for future budget and policy development.