Word on the Street

The Mayor's Missive | May 30, 2025

2026 BUDGET DISCUSSIONS BEGIN

Water and wastewater operations, street maintenance, housing programs, public safety, parks and recreation, and planning and building services all make up core municipal services that will need to be funded in the next fiscal year. In addition, we will need to invest in infrastructure upgrades and capital improvement projects (CIP) to ensure the livability and well-being of our town. As we go through the budget process, the City Council will have the tough task of allocating scarce resources toward the various operational demands. The prioritization of capital allocation is one of the most important (and difficult!) tasks the City Council faces. We kick off the budget process with the Budget Workshop on June 24 (which is always open to the public) by presenting all the possible projects that we would like the council to consider funding. One of them is a new CIP plan, which would require additional funding. Visit projectketchum.org/mobility to share your feedback on proposed CIP funding options. Results will be shared with the City Council.

SUPPORT OUR LOCAL GEMS

Small businesses are what make Idaho great. To support the local businesses that help our communities thrive, the City of Ketchum has partnered with U.S. Senator Jim Risch and the Idaho Department of Commerce to relaunch the sixth annual Support Local Gems initiative. Join us on Friday, June 6, and show your appreciation for the small businesses in the Wood River Valley. You can “Support Local Gems” in many ways, including dining at a local restaurant, treating your loved ones to a gift from a community retailer, enjoying a beverage at a local happy hour, updating your wardrobe at a nearby boutique, posting a positive review or social media shoutout for your favorite business in town, or simply saying “thank you” to a beloved mom-and-pop shop. There is no wrong way to show your support for Idaho’s small businesses. As a reminder, all Main Street businesses are open as construction continues.

FARMERS MARKET KICKS OFF ON JUNE 11

Mark your calendar for the opening day of the Ketchum Farmers Market! Please stop by Forest Service Park each Wednesday, June 11 through October 8, from noon to 4 PM, to support our local farmers and vendors and enjoy another chance to connect with the folks that work hard to provide us healthy, local, and sustainable goods and fare.

As summer looms, there is no place like home!

Cheers,
Neil

To read the rest of Issue No. 176 of the Word on the Street, click here.