UPDATE: After months of back and forth tensions, Boise City Council unanimously rejected two ordinances that would require residents to vote on whether to approve a new library and sports stadium.
The move came after hours of public testimony. Now, these proposed ordinances will be heading to the ballot in this November's election.
Many Boise City Council members raised concerns over potential legal issues with the proposed ordinances.
"For me, I cannot vote for an ordinance that I believe to be unconstitutional," said councilwoman Elaine Clegg said.
The rest of the original story continues below:
Tuesday’s hearing was the culmination of bubbling frustrations from some Boiseans who feel the city was poised to spend tens of millions of dollars without listening to their concerns.
Earlier this year, a group called Boise Working Together gathered more than 5,600 signatures for each petition to allow residents to vote on both a new library, and any city involvement with a private sports stadium.
The issues have been political lightning rods, underscoring tensions over government transparency and how the city prioritizes its budget.
If Boise City Council adopts both ordinances tonight, a vote on the proposed $85 million library could come as early as November’s election.
If they’re rejected, a vote isn’t a foregone conclusion. A question would be put on the ballot to ask residents if they want to vote on the library at another point in the future.
City officials say it’s unclear when a vote on the proposed sports stadium would come up, since no official proposal has been presented.
Public testimony will be limited to three minutes. The meeting will begin at 6:00 p.m. at City Hall.
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