Word on the Street

The Mayor's Missive | July 18, 2025

“WALK AND TALK” ABOUT THE COMP PLAN

Our planning and building team will be hosting several informal gatherings this month to walk the Ketchum neighborhoods and talk about the draft Comprehensive Plan. This will be another opportunity for staff to hear concerns from community members regarding how the plan potentially impacts neighborhood development. In Warm Springs, please meet at the bottom of Heidelberg Hill Trail at 5.30 PM on Thursday, July 17, 24, and 31. For West Ketchum, please meet at the junction of Bird Drive and the bike path at 5.30 PM on July 24.  

2026 BUDGET DISCUSSIONS CONTINUE

Budget discussions continue with our first formal public hearing on July 21. The focus of our discretionary spending will be on infrastructure. The 5-year Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) continues to prioritize the growing demand on city infrastructure, although financial constraints continue to persist. This year’s budget allocates $4.3M towards infrastructure projects. In addition to capital investment within the tax funds, the enterprise funds (water and wastewater) plan to invest over $5.9M towards capital infrastructure. The continued partnership with Ketchum Urban Renewal Agency (KURA) will support projects ranging from sidewalk improvements to Community Housing.

BIKE AND E-BIKE ETIQUETTE AND SAFETY—IT STARTS WITH YOU!

Our bike and e-bike education campaign is now underway. Multi-use paths are for everyone—pedestrians, cyclists, and our furry friends! Please obey speed limits and remember that e-bikes without pedals are not allowed on multi-use paths. This is not just about e-bikes, it is about all of us making it a great experience for those that we share the path with. And, it is about following the rules and being courteous off the path too, including on streets and sidewalks in town. You will see our officers out on the path and in town over the next few months providing education (and citations if necessary for unsafe conduct) on bike and e-bike rules in town and on multi-use paths. They will also provide clarification on why and how the city’s bike and e-bike ordinance changed and how it affects the rules. Read on below for more details.  

Summer is in full swing—enjoy!

Cheers,
Neil

To read the rest of Issue No. 179 of the Word on the Street, click here.