Speaker numbers apply only to this recording.
The Twin Falls City Council met on Monday, September 14, 2026 at 5:00 PM in Council Chambers. Mayor Jason Brown presided. All seven council members were present: Vice Mayor Craig Hawkins and Council Members Christopher Reid, Grayson Stone, Cherie Vollmer, Ruth Pierce, and Nathan Murray. The meeting opened with the Pledge of Allegiance and two proclamations, followed by approval of the consent calendar, discussion and action on several items, general public input, advisory board announcements, a public hearing on the budget, and an executive session. All votes on action items were unanimous (7-0).
The council approved the consent calendar 7-0, including:
Environmental Manager Nathan Erickson requested use of FY2026 wastewater budgeted funds not exceeding $557,255 for the final design contract with Hazen and Sawyer. The line carries about half of the city’s wastewater and is critical due to elevation constraints. The preferred alignment follows a walking path to avoid complications at the existing site. Council Member Reid asked why not reuse the same alignment; Erickson explained the new route avoids poor conditions at the top and aligns with an open connection point at the bottom. Motion to approve carried 7-0.
Utility Billing Supervisor Chelsea Ross presented a draft survey to gather public input on the future of curbside recycling. The survey asks about current usage, satisfaction, willingness to pay, and preferences if recycling is not continued. Discussion covered duplicate responses (City Manager Rothweiler noted IP checks), clarifying the residency question (to map responses by area for better analysis), and specifying the types of plastics that would be included. The council also discussed a chart of service options from prior meetings; staff confirmed the survey focuses on whether to keep recycling or not, and the contract is structured for either decision. Council gave direction on survey content; no formal vote was taken.
Senior Planner William Klaver and Planning & Zoning Director Jonathan Spendlove presented proposed corrections and updates to Title 10. Major changes include: allowing nonconforming building expansions up to code without a hearing (but a hearing if extending the nonconformity); adjusting alley setbacks for non-garage accessory buildings; adding health fitness facilities (occupant load ≤49) as a special use to professional office overlays; adding data centers as a special use in industrial zones with specific criteria; allowing hotels/motels at the airport as a special use; revising the community market uses (minor event centers and fuel stations discussed); exempting Rock Creek from the Canyon Rim Overlay setback (council expressed preference to retain protection); adding sign regulations in the Canyon Rim Overlay; and other corrections. Council provided direction and initiated the amendment. Motion to initiate carried 7-0.
Assistant to the City Manager Mandi Thompson reviewed the history of asking residents about a local option sales tax. The council discussed whether to continue gathering data. City Manager Rothweiler noted the importance of being prepared with data if the state considers eliminating property taxes or expanding local option taxes. Council Members Vollmer, Pierce, and Hawkins agreed to continue the question to maintain awareness and support property tax relief narratives. No vote was taken, but the council directed staff to retain the local option sales tax questions.
Four residents addressed the council:
Budget Coordinator Mathew Farnes presented Ordinance 2026-009, an amendment appropriating an additional $18,475,812 for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2026. Major projects include Eastland Drive reconstruction (street fund), pool remodel (capital improvement fund), Vista Bonita Park (SLFRF grant), Canyon Trail Junction (impact fees), city gym legal offices, fire engine and bucket truck, Rock Creek Restoration (USDA/RCS grant), police admin lift and brush truck, Eastern Sun neighborhood park land (impact fees), airport construction (federal grants), and Hanson Street Plaza playground (CDBG). The public hearing was opened and closed with no testimony. Council then moved to waive rules and read the ordinance by title only. Ordinance 2026-009 approved 7-0.
The council voted 7-0 to adjourn into executive session under Idaho Code §74-206(1)(c) to discuss acquiring an interest in real property not owned by the city. The regular meeting was adjourned into executive session at 6:38 PM; the regular meeting formally concluded at 6:50 PM.
School credential of those over 4,000 are currently unemployed. Adult education graduates earn on edge on average $10,000 a year more per year than those without a high school diploma. We receive only $726 per adult learner, and for every adult learner that earns their high school credential, we get a an over $6,000 boost to our tax revenue and reduced expenses for those people. Adult education is a crucial program. It changes lives through helping students with their basic skills, learning their GED, industry training, and teaching people to speak English. So it's a crucial thing, it's a crucial program that changes lives and it benefits communities. And so I just want to thank you so much for recognizing this as a as a city. Appreciate that. Education and continuing education is always a value to our community and and appreciate our partnership with uh CSI and the and the universities and the and the programs that we have to continue to educate our individuals in our community. We'll move on to our next proclamation, and that is uh a proclamation falls prevention awareness month, September 2026. Whereas the state of Idaho is one of the fastest growing states in the nation, including a significant increase in the percentage of older adults. And whereas the city of Twin Falls makes immense pride takes immense pride in providing an excellent quality of life for our residents while managing its fiscal responsibility. And whereas falls are the leading cause of accidental death and injuries among older adults, with 33.6% of Idahoans age 65 plus falling each year, higher than the national average. And whereas one in five falls result in serious physical harm, such as a broken bone, such as broken bones and falls are the number one cause of traumatic brain injury across all age groups. And whereas Idahoans incur a total of 164 million in costs related to falls each year, with the average medical cost of a fall in Idaho being 38,373 across all age groups, of which State Medicaid pays 27 million and Idaho Idahoans pay 26 million privately or out of pocket. And whereas falls often lead to additional psychosocial issues, including depression, social isolate isolation, decreased mobility, and loss of independence. And whereas the impact of falls on local infrastructure include emergency medical services, fire departments, emergency departments, critical critical access hospitals, trauma service, long-term service, and support supports are significant. And whereas the city of Twin Falls, Idaho, Twin Falls, Idaho recognizes the importance of health, safety, security, and independence of our residents. And whereas most falls are avoidable with modest interventions based on awareness and simple strategies that significantly reduce the risk of these debilitating and often fatal events. And whereas public and private organization and individuals throughout our community can effectively work together to provide education and guidance for individuals, families, caregivers, striving to reduce the devastating impacts of falls on our residents. Therefore, I, Jason Brown, mayor of the city of Twin Falls, do hereby proclaim the month of September, Falls Prevention Awareness Month. Who is here to receive the few think? Do you know somebody who's fallen? Have you fallen and suffered an injury? And for everybody here, I would just invite like to invite you to call the Office on Aging. It doesn't matter your age. We have a number of lists that can be used to look around your home, look for fall hazards, things that you can do to prevent falls. It's something that comes along and is unexpected. And unfortunately, the unexpected often turns into tragedy. I mean, I lost my own father. He was he was 89, but he could have stayed longer. But uh when he broke his leg with a fall, he never made it out of the hospital. And that's the way it is with a lot of seniors, but it also affects younger folks too. Dramatic brain injury, as you heard. So that's my invitation. I just uh take advantage of the CSI office on aging, call us up and get some information. Thank you. Thank you for recognizing this month too. Thank you. Thank you.