In front of a packed house, Mayor Jim Hammond delivered the 2024 State of the City Address. Citing national awards and accolades including “2nd Best Performing Small City,” “Best Places to Live.” and “Safest Cities in Idaho,” Hammond stressed that things are good. Specific examples include a decrease in crime in spite of population growth and a vast reduction of phosphorus and ammonia discharged into the river. However, he noted, challenges in the city include the cost of housing, traffic, increased budgets resulting from higher costs of equipment and labor.
Hammond stated the city is exploring ways to offset the housing crisis by increasing Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) and promoting the building of twin homes. However, he informed the crowd, the city would not enter into the subsidized housing market–likely referencing “Mt. Hink” at the Atlas Mill Site, which we discussed here. This is also at odds with previous statements from Councilmember Christie Woods.
He recently received the “Pillar of Idaho” award from Idaho Leaders United for standing up to extremism. In other city news: After a considerable lull, the city restarted invocations in January 2024, apparently never intending to let the change die on the vine, as we reported last year.
