BOISE, ID – At the June 10, 2025 Boise City Council Working Session, the Council reviewed expenditures and outcomes from the 2015 Boise Clean Water and Open Space Levy. Boise Parks and Recreation Director Doug Holloway presented an overview of levy projects, followed by comments from Councilmembers and the Mayor.

“I am really impressed with all the City and community has been able to do with the last two levies, the willingness of Boiseans to pay for open space acquisition, clean water projects, and now pathways and parks throughout the city,” said Lauren McLean, Mayor of Boise. She went on to say, “The first levy and second levy exceeded our wildest expectations of what could be done with those funds.”

Projects funded by the 2015 Boise levy have included the Peasley Street Connection Improvement Project, acquisition of the Hawkins Range Reserve, Ridge to Rivers Accessibility Projects, and more. Less than $400,000 remains from the original $10 million levy and will likely be spent down by the end of the year.

“I would signal my openness to recommendations from the Mayor going forward on being able to sustain the good work we have been doing with past levy funds,” said Colin Nash, Boise City Council President. 

“I look forward to the continued conversation, I hear from Boiseans all the time that they want us to continue this work, and I appreciate the suggestion [from City Council President Colin Nash], that I bring forward a recommendation for how we can continue this work,” said Mayor Lauren McLean

“CVI supported both previous Boise levies and we’re thrilled to see the City of Boise exploring new funding to bring additional valuable projects to this community,” said Alexis Pickering, Executive Director at Conservation Voters for Idaho. “Increased wildfires, heat, and population growth have put huge strains on our Boise River and open spaces. These resources are worthy of protection and investment, as we’ve seen over the past decade.”

In 2015, Conservation Voters for Idaho led the charge for the Boise Clean Water & Open Space Levy, which passed with a 74% majority. Conservation Voters for Idaho urges the City of Boise to build on this momentum and explore additional funding opportunities to protect clean water and expand on the success of previous levies.