On Tuesday, Nampa voters rejected a permanent levy that would have provided $5 million each year for the city’s police department. The measure required a super‑majority of 60% to pass, but only 45.4% of voters supported it, while 54.5% opposed.
What the levy would have funded
Had it been approved, the levy was designed to strengthen public safety staffing and facilities. The Nampa Police Department planned to hire 24 additional officers over four years—adding eight officers in each of the first two years and four officers in each of the following two years. The proposal also included a one‑time 4% cost‑of‑living adjustment for department employees and funding for a new police training facility.
Department perspective
Deputy Chief Curt Shankel told Idaho News 6 that staffing shortages have forced officers assigned to specialty units to cover patrol shifts, leaving some regular duties unfinished. He noted that the department lost 13 officers to neighboring agencies over the past four years, citing pay and benefits as contributing factors. Shankel emphasized that levy funds would not have been used for cameras or license‑plate readers, stating, “This money will never go towards those.”
Cost to property owners
The levy would have cost property owners an estimated $28.93 annually for every $100,000 of taxable assessed property value. For a home assessed at $300,000, the annual cost would have been roughly $86.79.
Implications for public safety
While the levy’s defeat means the department will continue to rely on existing budget sources, the vote highlights community concerns about tax increases and the need for transparent budgeting. City officials may explore alternative funding mechanisms or seek state assistance to address staffing gaps and facility upgrades.
Next steps
The city council is expected to review the election results and consider other options for supporting the police force, including potential adjustments to the existing budget or future ballot measures that might meet voter expectations.
Original reporting: KIVI Idaho News 6 (Nampa stories) — read the source article.
