Audience Questions & Answers from 2024 State of the City

While the City of Star does not directly manage school construction, we are aware of plans for future schools within our community. The West Ada School District owns land near Star Middle School, which includes plans for a new elementary and high school. Construction of schools depends on a few factors, including funding, which often requires passing a bond. At this time, no specific date has been set for construction of the high school, the new elementary school is expected to be completed by 2026. We encourage residents to stay engaged with school district updates as these plans develop.

From Star Police Chief Hessing:

1. Star PD is in the process of hiring volunteers to help police local parks. This is a new program that has been in the works for approximately 3 months. We have only had two people put in for the volunteer program. Both people are in the very extensive background process.
2. Star PD has a drone program and a deputy who is a drone pilot. Star PD purchased an updated drone in September of 2024. This is used for specific purposes such as locating suspects who are fleeing from the police. There are certain laws that prohibit the use of droves for surveillance.
3. The City of Star has placed several cameras throughout the city parks. All Star PD deputies have access to these cameras and can view them from their cell phones at any time.
4. License Plate Reader (LPR) cameras. LPR cameras have been used in Canyon County for quite some time. Ada County has had some pushback about using LPR cameras. They must be installed on a pole that has electricity. Ada County Sheriff’s Office and Kuna Police Department are getting LPR cameras installed. These cameras are a huge benefit when trying to locate a felony suspect vehicle. Star PD does not currently have any, but talks are being held to see if this is something the city wants. These cameras are not “traffic” cameras to cite people for going over speed limits or red lights. They are designed to capture a license plate, make, and color of a car to help apprehend felony criminals.

The idea of adding lights at Hunter’s Creek baseball fields is something we're actively exploring. However, the costs associated with such a project are significant. We're looking into potential funding opportunities, including grants, to help cover those costs. At the same time, we must consider the concerns of the surrounding community, as there may be impacts such as light pollution or noise. We want to ensure that any improvements we make are balanced with the needs and preferences of our residents, including the input of City Council members and the broader community. This is an ongoing discussion, and we will continue to evaluate the best course of action.

Speed bumps and other traffic-calming measures are under the jurisdiction of ACHD. Residents can request this on their website at: https://www.achdidaho.org/projects/propose-a-project/traffic-calming

To cover the ongoing costs of police and fire services in Star, it’s essential to address the challenges posed by current budgetary constraints. House Bill 389 caps city budget increases at 8%, which is problematic for rapidly growing cities like Star, with annual growth exceeding 20%. While increased tax revenue from growth helps fund some services, it is insufficient to meet the rising demand for public safety infrastructure and personnel.

The City of Star has implemented temporary solutions, such as a safety mitigation fee on developers, to help bridge the gap. However, these measures are not long-term solutions. Star is actively advocating for the creation of Public Safety Improvement Districts, a funding mechanism tied directly to growth. These districts would allow cities like Star to secure sustainable funding for police and fire services without overburdening existing taxpayers.

The City of Star remains committed to ensuring that public safety standards are maintained and continues to work toward legislative changes that address the needs of growing communities like ours.

From Star Police Chief Hessing:

No
 

The recent price increase was essential to fund the upgrades and expansion of the wastewater treatment plant, and currently, there are no plans to lower these rates. The cost of sewer and water services in Star remains competitive when compared to other agencies across Idaho. It's important to note that Star Sewer and Water is a separate agency and taxing district from the City of Star, with its own board of directors like Star Fire and Star Cemetery. A portion of your property taxes goes to support the operations of Star Sewer and Water. Rate decisions and adjustments are made by this agency, not the city.

The City of Star is responsible for streetlights only within the central business district on State Street. In other areas, streetlights are installed by developers and then maintained by the HOA. The city has specific lighting standards that all new projects must follow to ensure appropriate lighting for residents. For more information, you can refer to our city code on streetlight specifications. The city also has dark sky guidelines that projects must adhere to.

From Star Police Chief Hessing:

1. Place the radar trailer on Munger Road for a few weeks to bring people’s attention to the speed of the road.
2. Perform more directed patrols on Munger to enforce speed limits and make traffic stops.
3. Work with ACHD to get a speed limit sign that shows the speeds of vehicles. (This will help with people being reminded how fast they are going, and it also gets people to slow down because people walking nearby or driving can also see their speed and they lose anonymity of their speed). Please have all people who are noticing the issue of speeding on this road reach out to ACHD and request the electronic speed limit sign. The more voices heard, the better chance we get one sooner.

The impact fee for a single-family residential home in Ada County is $3,493. In Canyon County is $5,050. For a complete list of the various impact fees for Ada County please visit https://www.achdidaho.org/projects/development-resources/impact-fees. In Canyon County the fees may be viewed at https://hwydistrict4.org/about-us/what-we-do/impact-fees/.

The annexation and zoning request for the Willowbrook development was approved; however, no further actions have been taken. The developers have not submitted a preliminary plat or any additional plans since the initial approvals.
 

There are two major projects on Star Road included in ACHD’s Integrated Five-Year Work Plan (IFYWP):

1. Star Rd, Main St / SH 44 (State St) – This project will enhance pedestrian facilities, including a pedestrian bridge, upgraded crossings, and improved street lighting. Construction is expected in 2026, with a total project cost of $1,837,000.
2. Star Rd, US 20/26 (Chinden Blvd) / SH 44 (State St) – This corridor improvement includes widening Star Rd to five lanes and adding bike and pedestrian facilities. The total project cost is $37,765,000, with design anticipated between 2025-2026.

Although the City of Star advocates for these improvements, ACHD oversees the design and funding. For the latest updates and timelines, you can visit ACHD’s website at this link.  We encourage Star residents to advocate for these projects on ACHD’s website.

The proposed open space will feature natural trails with unpaved paths, and horses will be allowed. However, it's unlikely that we will restrict pedestrians from using these trails, as we are focused on promoting a walkable city that encourages fitness and outdoor pathways for all. What will be prohibited, though, are motorized vehicles, including golf carts, UTVs, and motorcycles, to maintain the natural integrity of the space.