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OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD

Record of Proceedings

Twin Falls City Council Meeting – April 6, 2026

City Council — Monday, April 6, 2026

BodyTwin Falls, Idaho

SessionCity Council

DateMonday, April 6, 2026

StatusFILED

Video Record

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Transcript — Verbatim

Speaker numbers apply only to this recording.

Unassigned speaker

3:53

Well,

Speaker 1

3:53

K we'll go ahead and call the Twin Falls City Council for April 6, 2026 to order.

4:00

We have all seven members of City Council in chambers.

4:04

And so we in uh we have a quorum to uh carry out city business.

4:09

The next item is the apple of allegiance.

4:11

We'd invite anybody that would like to participate to please stand.

4:36

We have a invocation this month.

4:37

We have uh Pastor Paul Thompson.

Speaker 2

4:45

I'm gonna try to not be longer than the meeting tonight.

4:48

Sounds good.

Unassigned speaker

5:00

And I ask that you grant these council members your guidance and wisdom for the duties that they have before them on the agenda.

Speaker 2

5:06

We recognize the importance of our community's future, particularly our young children.

Unassigned speaker

5:13

And

Speaker 2

5:13

we ask that you watch over the children of Twin Falls.

5:17

Lord protect

Unassigned speaker

5:18

them,

Speaker 2

5:19

guide their steps, instill in them a sense of hope and curiosity and kindness.

5:25

We pray that we pray for their safety, their education, and their growth,

Unassigned speaker

5:31

and

Speaker 2

5:32

that they would grow into well-informed and responsible and happy citizens.

Unassigned speaker

5:37

And

Speaker 2

5:37

we also lift up the brave men and women of our military.

5:41

We ask for their families

Unassigned speaker

5:43

who

Speaker 2

5:43

call Twin Falls their home, that you would bless

Unassigned speaker

5:46

them,

Speaker 2

5:46

and you'd grant success and safety to those who serve.

Unassigned speaker

6:02

Speaker 2

6:02

Lord bless the residents

Unassigned speaker

6:04

Speaker 2

6:04

the city, grant them peace in their homes, strength in their daily lives, and give them a spirit of cooperation with their neighbors.

Unassigned speaker

6:13

Speaker 2

6:13

I humbly offer this prayer, echoing the words taught to us by the Lord Jesus Himself.

6:23

Hallowed be thy name.

6:29

Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against

Unassigned speaker

6:36

us, and

Speaker 2

6:37

lead us not into temptation, but rather deliver us from evil, for thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever.

6:46

In Jesus' name,

Speaker 1

6:48

amen.

6:51

Thank

Unassigned speaker

6:52

you.

Speaker 1

6:54

Our next item of business is we have uh three proclamations tonight to to be read.

7:00

And the first one I'll read is is week of the young child.

7:06

Uh week of uh week of the young child, April 11 through the 17th, 2026.

7:11

Whereas the Idaho Association for the Education of Young Children and other local organizations are celebrating the week

Unassigned speaker

7:19

Speaker 1

7:19

the young child, April 11th through the 17th, 2026.

7:24

And whereas these organizations are working to promote and inspire high-quality early childhood experiences for our state's youngest citizens that can provide a strong foundation of learning and lifelong success for Idaho's youngest citizens, and whereas young children thrive when they have access to developmentally appropriate, affordable and high quality early care and education settings.

7:51

And whereas early childhood educators and those who work with or on behalf of young children, uh birth through age eight, who make a meaningful difference in the lives of young children in Twin Falls deserve our thanks, support, and recognition.

8:10

And whereas public policies that support early learning for all young children are critical to young children's futures and to the prosperity of Idaho families, communities, and our economy.

8:24

Therefore, I, Jason Brown, mayor of the city of Twin Falls, do hereby proclaim April 11th through the 17th, 2026 as the week of the young child, and do hereby recognize that when our communities invest in early childhood care and education, we also invest in our children, families, and the future of our community.

8:50

Perfect.

Unassigned speaker

9:25

Speaker 3

9:25

this is a proclamation that is reviewed from Idaho Association for the Education of Young Children.

9:33

Um it is a monthly, I attend a monthly meeting on behalf of the Magic Valley Early Learning Collaborative.

Unassigned speaker

9:42

Speaker 3

9:42

and I think it parallels well with with the proclamation read tonight.

9:46

To Idaho's young children, we honor your first five years of life as a crucial period of growth and development, the foundation upon which all your later years will build.

Unassigned speaker

10:00

We support your whole wellness so you can succeed in school and life, regardless of where you live or what your circumstances may be.

Speaker 3

10:05

You are worthy of our communities, organizations, and states' investment.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting

Water And Wastewater Management██████████████████████████████30%

Public Engagement██████████████14%

Fiscal Sustainability█████████9%

Budget Equity Analysis███████7%

Public Safety██████6%

Procedural█████5%

Youth Programs█████5%

Parks and Recreation█████5%

Education Funding████4%

Summary of Proceedings

Twin Falls City Council Meeting – April 6, 2026

At the April 6, 2026 meeting of the Twin Falls City Council, the council approved routine consent items, confirmed appointments to the Parks and Recreation Commission, and discussed options for the upcoming solid waste and recycling contract. Council members also provided preliminary feedback on the FY 2026‑2027 budget. The meeting adjourned at 6:42 PM.

Consent Calendar

Approved the minutes of the March 30, 2026 meeting, accounts payable for March 26 – April 1, 2026, and travel requests for April 1, 2026 (roll‑call 7‑0). o Approved special event permits for America250TF, Kids Day Celebration – Pokémon Theme, and the National Day of Prayer. o Approved Findings of Facts and Conclusions of Law for annexation PZ26‑0002 and final plat PZ26‑0035 (Knife River). o Declared city equipment #4545 (2001 C7500 Bucket Truck) surplus and authorized online auction sale.

Public Comments

Avalon Martinez (owner of Treasure Claw, Twin Falls resident) spoke during General Public Input. She asked about changing her Kids Day Celebration (Pokémon Theme) from a one‑day to a two‑day event (June 13‑14) and about the procedure for pop‑up events in front of her storefront. City staff directed her to the Chief of Police and the Planning & Zoning Director for follow‑up.

Discussion Items

PSI Solid Waste & Recycling Presentation – Jason Leach (PSI site manager) presented four contract options:
1. Unlimited waste without recycling
2. Unlimited waste with bi‑weekly recycling
3. Limited waste without recycling
4. Limited waste with bi‑weekly recycling He explained that “unlimited” currently allows up to eight extra bags per week, while “limited” requires all waste to fit inside a PSI‑provided cart. The limited option could save the city an estimated $48,000/year in hauling costs and $34,000/year in disposal costs. For recycling, PSI proposed a full single‑stream program (accepting plastics 1,2,5, cartons, etc.) with PSI covering 100% of disposal, education, and rollout; the city would pay $5.79/month per resident. PSI recommended Option 4 (limited waste + bi‑weekly recycling). Council members expressed varying preferences:
- Councilmember Reid favored Option 2 with language locking in recycling cost increases.
- Councilmember Vollmer favored Option 4.
- Councilmember Stone leaned toward Option 2 but wanted a cost‑by‑cost spreadsheet.
- Vice Mayor Hawkins was in favor of Option 2.
- Councilmember Murray liked a combination of Options 3 and 4 but was not yet passionate.
- Mayor Brown wanted a better breakdown of costs and asked whether a phased transition could work. City Manager Travis Rothweiler clarified that the council was not being asked to make a final decision that night but to give direction on which options to include in the contract draft. Several members stressed the need for a grace period and strong education if moving from unlimited to limited.
FY 2026‑2027 Budget Priorities – City Manager Rothweiler outlined the budget development process, noting that this is an annual activity. Key points included: retaining world‑class employees (1% compensation increase alone would cost about $1.67 million), the challenge of serving a regional hub of ~120,000 on a tax base of 60,000, capital replacement needs ($24.7 million in rolling stock), and the importance of community engagement. The council offered early priorities:
- Councilmember Stone asked whether a local option sales tax is still viable; Rothweiler explained the potential of a penny sales tax generating ~$20 million annually, with half going to property tax relief and half to regional services.
- Councilmember Pierce emphasized employee competitiveness (pay and benefits). o - Councilmember Reid stressed citizen communication and using survey results.
- Mayor Brown suggested council members could email additional priorities to staff.

Key Outcomes

No final vote was taken on the waste/recycling contract. Staff will prepare a detailed cost breakdown and include options based on council direction; the contract is expected to be presented for approval during the budget season.
Budget priorities are preliminary. Council will continue to provide input through email and upcoming budget hearings. The preliminary budget is scheduled for July 2, 2026.
Appointments confirmed: The council unanimously (7‑0) confirmed Mayor Brown’s appointment of McKenzie Redd and reappointment of Christiana Sipe‑Pauley and Todd Shaw to the Parks and Recreation Commission.
Public input noted: Ms. Martinez’s requests regarding Kids Day and pop‑up events will be handled administratively.

Meeting Transcript

Well, K we'll go ahead and call the Twin Falls City Council for April 6, 2026 to order. We have all seven members of City Council in chambers. And so we in uh we have a quorum to uh carry out city business. The next item is the apple of allegiance. We'd invite anybody that would like to participate to please stand. We have a invocation this month. We have uh Pastor Paul Thompson. I'm gonna try to not be longer than the meeting tonight. Sounds good. And I ask that you grant these council members your guidance and wisdom for the duties that they have before them on the agenda. We recognize the importance of our community's future, particularly our young children. And we ask that you watch over the children of Twin Falls. Lord protect them, guide their steps, instill in them a sense of hope and curiosity and kindness. We pray that we pray for their safety, their education, and their growth, and that they would grow into well-informed and responsible and happy citizens. And we also lift up the brave men and women of our military. We ask for their families who call Twin Falls their home, that you would bless them, and you'd grant success and safety to those who serve. So Lord bless the residents of the city, grant them peace in their homes, strength in their daily lives, and give them a spirit of cooperation with their neighbors. So I humbly offer this prayer, echoing the words taught to us by the Lord Jesus Himself. Hallowed be thy name. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us, and lead us not into temptation, but rather deliver us from evil, for thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever and ever. In Jesus' name, amen. Thank you. Our next item of business is we have uh three proclamations tonight to to be read. And the first one I'll read is is week of the young child. Uh week of uh week of the young child, April 11 through the 17th, 2026. Whereas the Idaho Association for the Education of Young Children and other local organizations are celebrating the week of the young child, April 11th through the 17th, 2026. And whereas these organizations are working to promote and inspire high-quality early childhood experiences for our state's youngest citizens that can provide a strong foundation of learning and lifelong success for Idaho's youngest citizens, and whereas young children thrive when they have access to developmentally appropriate, affordable and high quality early care and education settings. And whereas early childhood educators and those who work with or on behalf of young children, uh birth through age eight, who make a meaningful difference in the lives of young children in Twin Falls deserve our thanks, support, and recognition. And whereas public policies that support early learning for all young children are critical to young children's futures and to the prosperity of Idaho families, communities, and our economy.

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Twin Falls City Council Meeting – April 6, 2026

Consent Calendar

Approved the minutes of the March 30, 2026 meeting, accounts payable for March 26 – April 1, 2026, and travel requests for April 1, 2026 (roll‑call 7‑0). o Approved special event permits for America250TF, Kids Day Celebration – Pokémon Theme, and the National Day of Prayer. o Approved Findings of Facts and Conclusions of Law for annexation PZ26‑0002 and final plat PZ26‑0035 (Knife River). o Declared city equipment #4545 (2001 C7500 Bucket Truck) surplus and authorized online auction sale.

Public Comments

Avalon Martinez (owner of Treasure Claw, Twin Falls resident) spoke during General Public Input. She asked about changing her Kids Day Celebration (Pokémon Theme) from a one‑day to a two‑day event (June 13‑14) and about the procedure for pop‑up events in front of her storefront. City staff directed her to the Chief of Police and the Planning & Zoning Director for follow‑up.

Discussion Items

PSI Solid Waste & Recycling Presentation – Jason Leach (PSI site manager) presented four contract options:

Unlimited waste without recycling
Unlimited waste with bi‑weekly recycling
Limited waste without recycling
Limited waste with bi‑weekly recycling He explained that “unlimited” currently allows up to eight extra bags per week, while “limited” requires all waste to fit inside a PSI‑provided cart. The limited option could save the city an estimated $48,000/year in hauling costs and $34,000/year in disposal costs. For recycling, PSI proposed a full single‑stream program (accepting plastics 1,2,5, cartons, etc.) with PSI covering 100% of disposal, education, and rollout; the city would pay $5.79/month per resident. PSI recommended Option 4 (limited waste + bi‑weekly recycling). Council members expressed varying preferences:

Councilmember Reid favored Option 2 with language locking in recycling cost increases.
Councilmember Vollmer favored Option 4.
Councilmember Stone leaned toward Option 2 but wanted a cost‑by‑cost spreadsheet.
Vice Mayor Hawkins was in favor of Option 2.
Councilmember Murray liked a combination of Options 3 and 4 but was not yet passionate.
Mayor Brown wanted a better breakdown of costs and asked whether a phased transition could work. City Manager Travis Rothweiler clarified that the council was not being asked to make a final decision that night but to give direction on which options to include in the contract draft. Several members stressed the need for a grace period and strong education if moving from unlimited to limited.

FY 2026‑2027 Budget Priorities – City Manager Rothweiler outlined the budget development process, noting that this is an annual activity. Key points included: retaining world‑class employees (1% compensation increase alone would cost about $1.67 million), the challenge of serving a regional hub of ~120,000 on a tax base of 60,000, capital replacement needs ($24.7 million in rolling stock), and the importance of community engagement. The council offered early priorities:

Councilmember Stone asked whether a local option sales tax is still viable; Rothweiler explained the potential of a penny sales tax generating ~$20 million annually, with half going to property tax relief and half to regional services.
Councilmember Pierce emphasized employee competitiveness (pay and benefits). o - Councilmember Reid stressed citizen communication and using survey results.
Mayor Brown suggested council members could email additional priorities to staff.

Key Outcomes

No final vote was taken on the waste/recycling contract. Staff will prepare a detailed cost breakdown and include options based on council direction; the contract is expected to be presented for approval during the budget season.

Budget priorities are preliminary. Council will continue to provide input through email and upcoming budget hearings. The preliminary budget is scheduled for July 2, 2026.

Appointments confirmed: The council unanimously (7‑0) confirmed Mayor Brown’s appointment of McKenzie Redd and reappointment of Christiana Sipe‑Pauley and Todd Shaw to the Parks and Recreation Commission.

Public input noted: Ms. Martinez’s requests regarding Kids Day and pop‑up events will be handled administratively.

Meeting Transcript