BOISE, Idaho — Boise Mayor Lauren McLean gave her 2022 State of the City address Wednesday, focusing on Boisians' resilience over the recent challenges and their ability to turn difficulties into opportunities to improve Boise's future.
In the address, Mayor McLean said, "Boise continues to change, but change doesn’t have to be something that’s ‘happening to us.’ Together, we can shape this change. We must seize the opportunity in this pivotal moment. And we’ll succeed because we put people first, try all solutions, and do what must be done.”
The address also celebrated Boise's achievements in the last year while highlighting the ways the city is coming together to create a better environment for everyone.
Mayor McLean announced the city will be allocating $2 million to small businesses as part of its partnership with United Way of the Treasure Valley, and $1.2 million will be given in new 'circuit breaker’ tax relief for elderly, widowed or disabled homeowners.
Another $3 million will be provided for childcare workforce incentive pay, using recovery funds.
“I hear from parents who say they can’t find affordable childcare and they’ve had to leave careers because of it," McLean said during the address, "I hear from childcare providers who are facing a major labor shortage. So, we are helping to find solutions. We are proud to partner with the Idaho Association for the Education of Young Children to support our childcare workforce, so that Boiseans are free to pursue their dream jobs because they can find care for their kids.”
Along with investments in childcare, Mayor McLean said the city will be making critical investments into the police departments following an overall decrease in both violent and property crime rates.
“The Police Department is reexamining officers’ roles to make sure we’re providing the type of service you all expect,” Mayor McLean said. “We continue to see the tremendous benefits of having dedicated liaison officers engaging with their communities. We will keep growing these positions because they’re so important to community policing.”
Boise firefighters will also benefit from an increase in funding as the mayor announced the ground-breaking of a new, fully electric fire station in Northwest Boise next year and improved stations throughout the city. The stations will be updated to include charging terminals for electric trucks.
Over the last year, several of Mayor McLean's five strategic priority areas have seen big accomplishments.
The city of Boise has continued to invest in the community by providing better mental health support systems; more than $15 million has been provided for rental assistance to keep Boise families in their homes, and accessibility services have been improved at city facilities by providing more language services for everyone in Boise.
Boise's economy has continued to grow along with the cost of living. Despite that, the mayor said the city has been able to keep property tax growth to an average of 1.8 percent in the last three years.
Mayor McLean announced an additional $12 million dollars will be provided to create and preserve affordable homes using recovery funds. The mayor is also hoping to provide 1,250 affordable homes by 2026, and 250 homes to go to families in Boise that are currently experiencing homelessness.
“Those aren’t just numbers, they’re families. We’ll keep supporting families and looking for new and better ways to do it,” Mayor McLean said. “That’s what it means to take care of people. That’s the Boise we are creating together.”
Another $3.1 million will be dedicated to updating city facilities to better provide services to those in the community with disabilities. Currently, Boise has 10 inclusive playgrounds, but at least two more are planned for the city at Bowden and Franklin Parks.
“I sat in the open field two weeks ago eating lunch and imagining the playground, shelter, pathways – and people gathering – that we’ll create there,” McLean said. “I’m excited to share we’re naming it for a flower that will be a part of that garden: Primrose Park.”
The Boise Pathways Plan was implemented to give 112 miles of new pathways to better connect Boise's community. Under McLean's direction, 13,500 trees were planted around the city as part of the City of Trees Challenge in combating climate change.
Additionally, the mayor proposed $10 million in recovery funds for infrastructure and climate adaptation in order to improve, repair, and expand Boise’s geothermal heating system. Moving forward, McLean wants all new buildings to be fully electric.
A community fair was held at the JUMP plaza from 3-6 p.m. and showed a live stream of the address on the JUMPotron. There was also live music and activities for all ages. The meeting was held at Jack's Urban Meeting Place and online.
Mayor McLean has held monthly listening sessions to answer questions and take feedback from residents and says she will continue communicating with Boiseans and work to increase transparency from the mayor's office.
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