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City of Buhl

March 9, 2026

minutes meeting date 2026-03-09 · fetched 2026-09-17 · 4716 characters · official file · plain text

COUNCIL REGULAR MEETING 
March 9, 2026 
203 Broadway Ave N 
 
PRESENT: 
Douglas Howarth 
Mayor 
Marla Sisson 
Council President 
Ryan Loos 
Council Member 
Fred Bartlett 
Council Member 
Cortlin Runyan 
Council Member 
 
Chelsea Popplewell       Clerk/Treasurer 
Shayne Nope 
City Attorney 
Jason Scott 
Public Works Director 
Concerned Citizens 
 
 
 
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE 
 
CONFIRMATION OF QUORUM: 
Chelsea Popplewell confirmed a quorum.  
 
CONSENT AGENDA: 
1. Minutes of February 23, 2026– Working Session 
2. Claims for Payment 
3. Department Head Report – Public Works, Engineer, Fire, Planning & Zoning 
4. Commission Minutes – Airport, Housing Authority 
5. Clerk/Treasurer Report 
 
Marla moved to approve the consent agenda. Cortlin seconded the motion. There was no discussion. Marla 
voted yes, Ryan voted yes, Fred voted yes, and Cortlin voted yes. The motion passed. 
NEW BUSINESS: 
Review and Consideration of Audited 2024-2025 Financial Statements: Chelsea Popplewell presented the 
audited financial statements that were included in the Council packet. The auditor was unable to attend the 
meeting and Chelsea did not serve as treasurer for the 2024-2025 fiscal year so she let the council know 
any questions they did have, she would find the answers out and bring them back to a future meeting. 
Marla asked about the current reserves and how we compare to other cities. She also wondered about 
some specific line items that were over budget. Fred questioned the grant line items that had not been 
used. There was no further discussion. Marla moved to accept the audited 2024-2025 financial statements. 
Ryan seconded the motion. There was no further discussion. There was a roll call vote. Marla voted yes, 
Ryan voted yes, Fred voted yes and Cortlin voted yes. The motion passed. 
Review and Consideration of 2026-2027 Budget Schedule: Chelsea presented the proposed 2026-2027 
budget schedule. Marla mentioned she would prefer to hear from department heads first and then have 
Council share their priorities. There was some discussion regarding having the future needs discussions and 
Council priorities on the same night.  Marla moved to approve the 2026-2027 Budget Schedule with moving 
the fee schedule from the 27th to the 13th and moving future needs down to the 27th. Cortlin seconded the

motion. There was no further discussion. There was a roll call vote. Cortlin voted yes, Fred voted yes, Ryan 
voted yes, and Marla voted yes.  The motion passed.  
Planning and Zoning Commission Recommendations: Marla moved to approve Nick Popplewell and Rodney 
Netz to be on the Planning and Zoning commission. Ryan seconded the motion. There was no further 
discussion. There was a roll call vote. Marla voted yes, Ryan voted yes, Fred voted yes, and Cortlin voted 
yes. The motion passed. 
MAYOR & COUNCIL COMMENTS: Mayor Howarth read the below statement. 
 
We need to make sure that we comply with the law regarding employee privacy issues. If a member of City 
Council would like to discuss any issues pertaining to complaints, discipline, etc., of a city employee, those 
will first need to be discussed with the mayor, who is the chief city administrator per Idaho Code 50-602. 
After review of the complaint, discipline, etc., if it needs to go before City Council, it will be listed under an 
executive session on the upcoming meeting agenda. 
 
Cortlin noted that today was the first day of the Burley Avenue project. Jason Scott noted that even though 
the City got the grant, the City isn’t really involved in the project. Local Highway Technical Assistance 
Council (LHTAC) is the lead on the project. Cortlin asked how long it was supposed to take and Jason said it 
is a 120 day project.  
 
CITIZEN COMMENTS: 
 
Margaret Gray, Buhl, brought up several concerns that she had sheets of paper and gave to Council. She 
started by asking Council to speak into their microphones more. Marla asked a clarifying question on the 
outside audit. She wondered where the auditor was from and Chelsea said he was from Twin Falls.  She 
commented on the airport and wondered why the citizens are being taxed for it when the average citizen 
doesn’t use it.  Mayor Howarth said that he will find the answers and bring those to Mayor’s comments in 
two weeks. 
 
Amanda Hawkins, Buhl, asked for an update on the parking ordinance. Mayor mentioned that we are 
looking at updating a couple other codes at the same time so we do not have a timeframe just yet.   
 
 
MEETING ADJOURNED –Marla moved that the meeting be adjourned; Cortlin seconded the motion. There 
was no discussion. All voted yes. The meeting was adjourned at 6:51 PM. 
 
Minutes prepared by Chelsea Popplewell, City Clerk

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