Twin Falls City Council Meeting - March 9, 2026

The Twin Falls City Council met on March 9, 2026, for a regular council meeting. The meeting included proclamations for Girl Scouts Week and the National Senior Nutrition Program, the adoption of the Rock Creek Watershed Master Plan, approval of two airport engineer contracts, a presentation on the 2025 National Citizen Survey, a vote to discontinue the MPOG grant program, and approval of $215,000 in cash reserves for city project furnishings.

Consent Calendar

All items approved 6-0. Items included:

• Approval of March 2, 2026, meeting minutes.
• Approval of accounts payable for February 27 – March 4, 2026.
• Alcohol license for Noble Spice Kitchen LLC.
• Special event permits for Walk for Wishes, Perrona Fest Hispanic Festival, NAMI Walk, CSI Cheerleading Nationals Sendoff Showcase, Fill the Dome, and No Kings Day 3.0.
• Findings of Fact for El Milagro Subdivision No. 4 Final Plat (PZ26-0019).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Maria Hernandez, a Twin Falls resident, spoke about attending the CSI men's basketball championship game and thanked an anonymous stranger who paid for her ticket, expressing pride in the community’s kindness and unity.

Discussion Items

• Rock Creek Watershed Master Plan (Adopted 6-0): Presented by Mandi Thompson and Aaron Cox of Jacobs Engineering. The plan, funded by $5 million in federal appropriations, includes urban stormwater, riparian, and agricultural projects to improve water quality, with over 85% public support. The council adopted the plan.

• FAA Pavement Rehabilitation Contract (Approved 6-0): Approved a $158,765.60 contract with J-U-B Engineers for project services, with 95% FAA funding and 5% passenger facility charges.

• FAA Equipment Acquisition Contract (Approved 6-0): Approved a $250,752.80 contract with J-U-B Engineers for snow removal and foreign object debris (FOD) equipment, including a rotary blower and a new loader and ramp plow.

• 2025 National Citizen Survey Presentation: Mandi Thompson presented the results from the 10th survey (14% response rate, 395 responses). 72% rated quality of life as good/excellent, 91% feel safe during the day, and 85% are likely to remain in Twin Falls for five years. Areas of concern include mobility (29% positive) and affordable housing (lowest rated). City government confidence is at 59%.

• Future of MPOG Grant Program (Discontinued 6-0): Council voted to discontinue the Municipal Partnership Outreach Grant (MPOG) program, which had a $50,000 annual allocation. Mayor Brown stated it is best to end the program and redirect funds back to the city budget.

• Cash Reserves for City Projects (Approved 6-0): Approved a $215,000 allocation from cash reserves to purchase furnishings and equipment for the legal office, city gym, and police department lift remodel project. The project had $683,000 in savings from the original budget.

Key Outcomes

• Rock Creek Watershed Master Plan adopted.
• Two airport engineering contracts approved.
• MPOG grant program discontinued.
• $215,000 approved from cash reserves for furnishings and equipment.
• Meeting adjourned at 6:40 PM.
• The City Council will not meet on March 23, 2026.