NAMPA -- Nampa firefighters and police officers say a budget crisis could be headed their way, one that could result in jobs cut.
In order to meet EPA requirements and fix their stormwater system, the City of Nampa began charging its residents a $3 a month stormwater fee in 2011. The fee for non-residential property owners was $3 for every 3,650 square feet of pavement, buildings or other hard surfaces that prevent water from soaking into the ground.
However, the stormwater fee was very controversial and lawsuits were pending. The lawsuits argued Nampa's stormwater fee is too much like a tax, which would be illegal under Idaho code because the state does not authorize cities to collect a stormwater tax.
In January, the City of Nampa decided to drop the stormwater fee, which means the $2 million financial burden will likely be shifted to the city's general fund. That's something which concerns Nampa firefighters and police officers.
"We're going to look at potentially having some significant reductions to the level of service we have now and we just don't want to see that," said John Drinkwine, president of the Nampa Police Protective Association.
The firefighters and police officers are concerned a big chunk of the $2 million would be taken out of their budgets. Nothing is finalized, but there is speculation the firefighter and police budgets could be cut by as much as five percent.
If that happens, Drinkwine said as many nine police officers would be laid off.
Nick Adams, president of the Nampa Firefighters Local 804, said as many as seven firefighters could be cut.
"The best case scenario for us is that the council is able to find an alternative funding source for the stormwater that doesn't come from the general fund, doesn't compete with public safety, so that we can keep providing what we have been to the general public," said Adams.
Both agencies agree Nampa's stormwater system needs to be fixed, just not at the expense of public safety.
The mayor's office was not available for comment.
The Nampa City Council will be hammering out the details in the weeks to come.
