City of Idaho Falls

The Idaho Falls City Council has approved an ordinance prohibiting the sale of kratom within Idaho Falls city limits.

The ordinance was adopted following a health advisory issued by the Bonneville County Coroner and several months of discussion and public input regarding the substance and its potential impacts on public health and safety. During a June 1 City Council work session, Council members reviewed the proposed ordinance and received information from the Bonneville County Coroner, Bonneville County Sheriff's Office and Idaho Falls Police Department regarding local concerns related to kratom use and availability.

Following that review and additional public comment, the City Council voted to adopt the ordinance during its regular meeting.

Kratom is a substance derived from the leaves of a tropical tree native to Southeast Asia. Products containing kratom are commonly sold in several forms, including powders, capsules, extracts and beverages.

The ordinance will take effect on July 1, 2026. The period between adoption and the effective date is intended to provide businesses that currently sell kratom products time to prepare for compliance. City staff will work with local businesses to notify them of the ordinance and provide time for kratom products to be removed from shelves before the ordinance takes effect.

Additional information about the ordinance is available by viewing the City Council meeting recording: https://idahofallsid.new.swagit.com/videos/390201

Not every rescue involves flashing lights and emergency calls!

Yesterday, the Idaho Falls Fire Department Ladder 1 C-Shift came to the aid of a feline friend that had spent several days refusing to come down from a tree.

While animal rescues are not something we typically respond to, our crews carefully evaluated the situation, ensuring there was no risk to human life, that equipment could be operated safely, and that all other options had been exhausted. After attempts using food and coaxing failed, firefighters were able to safely recover the cat and reunite it with its grateful owners.

We're happy to report the rescue was a success, and our four-legged friend is back on solid ground where it belongs!

Could you be the next voice of Idaho’s Oldest Rodeo?

The War Bonnet Round Up is looking for talented singers to perform the National Anthem in front of a packed arena at Sandy Downs, July 29 through August 1. Selected performers will sing one night of the rodeo and enjoy a VIP experience for themselves and a guest.

The performances this year will be especially meaningful as we celebrate America’s 250th birthday and showcase some of eastern Idaho’s best local talent.

To audition, submit a video of yourself singing “The Star-Spangled Banner” to [email protected] by July 1. Singers of all ages are encouraged to participate. Those selected will be notified by July 10.

Then head to the rodeo July 29 through August 1 to enjoy four nights of PRCA rodeo action featuring top cowboys and cowgirls from across the country. Plus, kick off rodeo week at the FREE Teton Toyota Wild West Family Fest on July 29 from 4:30–8:30 p.m. at Sandy Downs.

Tickets are on sale now at warbonnetroundup.org.

To learn more, visit: www.idahofallsidaho.gov/m/newsflash/home/detail/2960

The City of Idaho Falls is pleased to announce that Chris Canfield has been named the new Public Works Department Director, pending City Council confirmation.

An East Idaho native and licensed professional engineer, Canfield brings extensive experience in public service, infrastructure development, and federal grant financing. He currently serves as Interim Public Works Director and previously spent 13 years as Assistant Public Works Director, helping lead projects that enhanced transportation, water, wastewater, and sanitation services throughout the community.

If confirmed by the City Council, Canfield will oversee the department’s operations, strategic planning, and long-term infrastructure priorities, including the maintenance and development of streets, water systems, sanitation services, and other essential public infrastructure.

Please join us in congratulating Chris on this appointment and his continued commitment to serving the Idaho Falls community!

Learn more: https://www.idahofallsidaho.gov/m/newsflash/Home/Detail/2958

May was a busy month in Idaho Falls! In case you missed it, here are five highlights from the month:

1) Funland at the Zoo reopened for the 2026 season. Families can once again enjoy classic rides like the carousel, Eli wheel, train, airplanes, and Octopus, all fully restored and ready for summer fun. The newly renovated Log Hut Café is also now open to visitors and the public.

2) Residents came together for another successful Clean & Green Citywide Cleanup. Thanks to everyone who participated in spring cleaning projects across the community and to the city staff and partners who helped make this annual effort possible.

3) Local agencies partnered to host the Regional Street Summit, giving residents an opportunity to learn about upcoming roadway improvements, construction projects, and traffic impacts throughout Idaho Falls, Ammon, and Bonneville County.

4) The city kicked off planning for Meppen Park, a new neighborhood park near the College of Eastern Idaho. Residents shared ideas and feedback to help shape the future of this community gathering space.

5) The city announced updates to its residential impact fee assessment structure, which take effect June 1. The new square footage-based model is designed to better align impact fees with the size of residential development and anticipated demand on public infrastructure and services.

From family fun at Funland to planning for future growth, May was packed with community projects, events, and milestones. With summer now underway, there's even more to look forward to in the months ahead!

The City of Idaho Falls is notifying developers, builders, and the public of upcoming changes to the City’s residential impact fee assessment structure, effective June 1, 2026.

Impact fees help fund essential infrastructure and public facilities needed to support new development, including parks, transportation systems, and public safety facilities. The goal is to help ensure that growth contributes to the cost of supporting that growth, rather than placing the full burden on existing taxpayers.

Idaho Falls first adopted impact fees in 2022. Following an update to the City’s impact fee ordinance approved by the City Council on April 23, 2026, the City will transition from a per-unit residential fee structure to a square-footage-based assessment model.

The updated structure is designed to more closely align fees with the size of residential development and anticipated demand on public infrastructure and services.

Projects funded through impact fees include growth-related portions of the Idaho Falls Police Complex, the northside Fire Station, improvements to Heritage Park, Utah Avenue roadway improvements, the Idaho Canal pathway south of Sunnyside Road, and improvements to Holmes Avenue.

Additional information, including the updated ordinance and impact fee study, is available on the City of Idaho Falls website: https://www.idahofallsidaho.gov/1695/Impact-Fees-in-Idaho-Falls

Another successful Clean & Green Citywide Cleanup is in the books!

Thank you to our Code Enforcement team and Sanitation staff for their continued hard work and commitment to helping keep Idaho Falls a beautiful and safe place to live! Their efforts behind the scenes and on the ground make this community initiative possible each year.

Thank you as well to all of the residents who participated, took advantage of the free cleanup opportunities, and helped tackle spring cleaning projects throughout the city! Community participation is what makes this program such a success.

We also want to express our appreciation to the many individuals and partners who supported the effort throughout the three-week cleanup event. It truly is a community-wide effort, and the impact directly benefits neighborhoods across Idaho Falls.

To learn more about the Annual Clean & Green initiative, visit:
www.idahofallsidaho.gov/1696/Clean-Green-Citywide-Cleanup

Yesterday, the City of Idaho Falls proudly celebrated Arbor Day with the planting of 23 new trees along Riverwalk Drive, just north of Taylor Crossing. With help from volunteers, City staff, and students in CTEC’s horticulture program, three different tree species were planted that will provide lasting benefits to our community for generations to come.

As part of the celebration, Mayor Lisa Burtenshaw read a proclamation officially dedicating May 20, 2026, as Arbor Day in Idaho Falls.

During the event, Matt Perkins with the Idaho Department of Lands presented Idaho Falls with its 34th consecutive Tree City USA designation, along with a Growth Award recognizing the City for going above and beyond the program’s minimum standards.

To earn Tree City USA recognition, communities must maintain a forestry ordinance, celebrate Arbor Day, invest at least $2 per capita in urban forestry, and have a shade tree committee. Idaho Falls’ Shade Tree Committee is made up entirely of dedicated volunteers, and the City far exceeds the investment requirement by contributing approximately $17 per capita toward urban forestry and tree care.

Planting trees in urban areas creates measurable benefits for the entire community, including improved air quality, reduced energy usage, and longer-lasting infrastructure. These 23 newly planted trees will eventually shade nearby streets, helping extend the life of the pavement by an estimated 20 years.

Thank you to everyone who helped make this year’s Arbor Day celebration a success and for continuing to invest in a greener, healthier Idaho Falls.

The City of Idaho Falls offices will be closed on Monday, May 25 in honor of Memorial Day. We encourage everyone to take a moment to remember and honor the brave individuals who gave their lives in service to our country and the freedoms we cherish.

Please note that sanitation services will be delayed by one day for the week.

The annual Clean & Green Citywide Cleanup wraps up this weekend!

Join us May 21 through May 23 from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and take advantage of convenient drop-off locations to clear out unwanted items and help keep Idaho Falls a beautiful and safe place to live.

The May 21–23 locations are:
• Garfield Substation, at the intersection of Northeast Bonneville Drive and Garfield Street
• Old Butte Soccer Complex, maintenance shed at 425 N. Old Butte Road

Cleanup efforts are made possible thanks to Idaho Falls Code Enforcement and the Idaho Falls Sanitation Division, working together to support neighborhoods across the city.

Dumpsters will be available for household items, yard waste, and construction debris. Please remember that certain items will NOT be accepted, including hazardous waste, demolition materials, tires, large appliances, and certain metals.

Household hazardous waste can be disposed of at the Bonneville County Transfer Station on September 12.

For full disposal guidelines and alternative locations, visit: www.idahofallsidaho.gov/m/newsflash/home/detail/2945

To learn more about the Clean & Green initiative, visit: www.idahofallsidaho.gov/1696/Clean-Green-Citywide-Cleanup