City of Nampa unveils FY27 proposed budget that trims capital, holds operations flat and adds police staff

The City of Nampa presented its proposed fiscal year 2027 budget at a community meeting, framing the plan as conservative stewardship that trims capital spending while funding modest personnel and public-safety increases. Finance Director Doug Reine said the proposed budget includes $49.6 million in property-tax revenue and a $42.1 million police budget, and that the package reduces planned capital by about $12 million.

The presentation, led by Doug Reine and introduced by Mayor Bruner and Chief of Staff Clay Long, emphasized four priorities that guided budget development—public safety and health, economic opportunity, excellence in city government, and movement in and through Nampa. "Go look at it, read it, challenge it," Reine said, inviting residents to review the 589-page budget book and provide input. He added, "we invite any public commentary . . . because we are spending your dollars." The city scheduled a council public hearing for Aug. 17; written comments to be included in the council packet are due to the clerk by Aug. 12 at noon.

Why it matters: Reine told attendees most of the recent property-tax increase will flow to public safety to cover new staff, equipment and pay adjustments, while the budget also reflects the first full year of payments on a DEQ-required water renewal plant loan. Officials said the proposed approach aims to limit operational growth for now while addressing inflationary pressures in health care, utilities and contracted services.

Key numbers and changes: The proposal lists $49.6 million in property-tax revenue (up about $2.8 million), a police budget of $42.1 million (up roughly $1.4 million), and a capital program trimmed by approximately $12 million to better match deliverable projects. Reine also reported net labor and benefits up about $3.4 million and operational costs down roughly $8.1 million; when factoring out the recent conveyance of the Ford Idaho Center, the city reported a smaller year-over-year net change.

Public-safety staffing and constraints: The budget includes seven new full-time equivalent positions overall and four new police positions—two for patrol and two for a real-time crime center—but does not fund the department's original request for 10 officers and two support staff. Reine said the city is "asking the police to do more with less," noting the department is stretched by population growth: Nampa's population rose by roughly 32,000 residents over the past decade, a near 30% increase.

Deferred maintenance and capital choices: Officials warned the modest rate and revenue increases in this proposal will not address significant deferred maintenance. A recent facilities assessment cited at least four buildings in critical need—Harvard Recreation Center, Nampa City Hall, Nampa Civic Center and the Idaho Hispanic Community Center—as well as aging water, sewer and irrigation infrastructure. Reine said the city faces a tradeoff between lowering the capital budget to match realistic delivery and addressing mounting maintenance needs that will become costlier if deferred further.

Ford Idaho Center and other structural shifts: The FY27 totals reflect the conveyance of the Ford Idaho Center, which Reine said reduced the city's budget by about $11.1 million and removed an ongoing capital burden of roughly $1 million annually. Reine cautioned that removing the center from the city's books lowers both revenue and expenses and is not a discretionary $11 million available for other uses.

Revenue drivers and limitations: Reine outlined revenue sources—property taxes, state shared sales and liquor taxes, enterprise fees for water/wastewater/irrigation/sanitation, and transfers—and explained the levy rate is calculated from total taxable value, reported at about $17.3 billion this year. He noted some state legislation (House Bill 967) shifted sales-tax revenue and reduced shared revenues to local governments, and he said energy and health-care cost pressures continue to strain the operating budget.

Next steps: The proposed budget goes to the City Council for review, with a public hearing on Aug. 17. Reine and Clay Long urged residents to review the budget online and submit comments by Aug. 12 to be included in the meeting packet. Clay Long reiterated that public safety and transportation remain top community priorities and that staff will continue searching for efficiencies while the council finalizes decisions.

The presentation closed with officials encouraging public engagement and underscoring the tension between controlling operating costs and addressing deferred infrastructure and maintenance needs.