I hope everyone had a safe and happy Fourth of July and took a few moments to think about what it means to be an American and call Meridian home. As we celebrate what ties us together, it’s also important to look ahead at how we can continue to build a safe, thriving community for the future.

For the last month, the City of Meridian has been exploring the idea of a public safety levy, a topic I discussed in detail during my State of the City Address address (the levy topic begins at 54 minutes). If placed on the ballot by City Council and approved by the voters as part of the November election, the levy would generate $5,018,125.71 annually to retain 13 firefighter positions, establish competitive police officer wages to recruit and retain officers, and fund a prosecution unit to prosecute crimes. The estimated average annual cost to the taxpayer will be a tax of $20.11 per $100,000 of taxable assessed value, per year, based on current conditions, and the levy would be assessed every year starting in October of 2026.

The Meridian City Council has been holding a series of public meetings to receive information from city staff and gather community feedback on whether to put the proposed levy on the ballot for consideration by the voters. Tomorrow, July 8^th at Meridian City Hall (33 E. Broadway Avenue), the City Council will continue to take feedback on the proposed levy during the meeting that begins at 6:00 pm. This is an important opportunity for residents to speak directly to their elected leaders. Community feedback plays a vital role in these discussions. No decisions have been made yet, and we want to ensure the community has a chance to be part of this important conversation as your thoughts, feedback, and questions will help City Council consider how best to move forward.

While the meeting will be held at Meridian City Hall, it will also be available to stream on the City’s YouTube channel. Information about how to participate in public meetings, either in person or remotely, can be found on the City’s Public Meeting Information page. If you can’t make the meeting but would like to provide written comment in advance of the meeting, email comment@meridiancity.org.

I encourage residents to stay informed and take part in these discussions. For more details about the proposal, frequently asked questions, and updates, please visit our levy webpage, review the information below, or contact the City at communications@meridiancity.org.

Catch up on the conversation and join us for the upcoming July 8^th public hearing:

• June 10, 2025 – Staff presentation to Meridian City Council, recording available on YouTube, the conversation starts at approximately 13 minutes into the video.
• June 17, 2025 – City Council Workshop Discussion, conversation begins at 1 hour and 17 minutes
• June 24, 2025 – Public Hearing #1, conversation begins at 1 hour and 38 minutes
• July 8, 2025 – Public Hearing #2 and potential Council decision regarding whether to place the levy on the ballot in November; City Council meeting starts at 6:00 p.m., at Meridian City Hall