Boise City Council - Work Session

At the Boise City Council work session on September 30, 2026, the council approved a package of interim budget changes covering grants, operations, and capital projects. Allocations included $150,000 for invasive-tree removal and hazardous-fuel reduction at Catherine Albertsons Park, about $15,000 for fire dive-unit equipment, and $40,000 for hazardous-materials training. Other changes recognized library youth-wellness grant funding and a U.S. DOT passenger-rail planning grant, and redirected ARPA funds toward projects including electrification, geothermal work, and administration before the federal spending deadline. The changes also recognized $450,000 in additional golf-operation revenue and $100,000 in zoo revenue, along with related operating expenses. For pathways, council approved $65,000 to contract for right-of-way appraisal and easement negotiations on the Broadway Avenue–Federal Way project; about 93% is expected to be federally reimbursed, with a roughly $5,000 city match already budgeted. Council also approved $150,000 for a consultant-led pathways feasibility and implementation plan. The budget package passed, followed by a separate vote approving $225,000 from the Housing Investment Fund to build an accessory dwelling unit for affordable housing at a city rental property; that vote passed 5–1, with one council member opposing city ownership of the unit.

The Arts and History Department provided its annual Percent for Art update, describing completed work and planned commissions, including airport installations and neighborhood projects. Staff noted that some projects may return to council for budget changes or contract approval under purchasing thresholds; no art contracts were awarded at this meeting. Staff also sought council feedback on special-event permitting, including possible event tiers, cost-recovery standards, ticketed uses of city property, and accountability procedures. Council offered feedback but took no action on those proposals.