Last week I spoke to our residents, business owners, and community leaders about the progress we have made and where we are heading next when I delivered the annual State of the City address which is hosted by the Meridian Chamber of Commerce. In the address, I shared a simple message: Meridian is rising. We are rising in the quality of our services, rising in the ambition of our projects, and rising in the caliber of people who choose to live, serve, and build their lives here. Rising because of who Meridian is and who Meridian has always been. So, what does rising look like in action? It is taking shape in projects across the city.
This past year brought meaningful progress on several important initiatives. We broke ground on a new community center at Settlers Park that will serve residents for generations to come. Construction began this winter and doors are expected to open in late 2027.
The Linder Road Overpass is entering its final phase, marking a major milestone in improving transportation, safety, and connectivity across our city. This project has been discussed for years, and we are looking forward to its completion in 2027.
We’re also making smart, forward-looking investments in infrastructure. Our new Biosolids Dryer will use renewable energy and is expected to save ratepayers $300,000 annually. This new facility will function like a greenhouse and evaporate 18 tons of water per day from those biosolids, reducing the moisture content, resulting in fewer trips to the landfill, fewer emissions, less road wear, and reduced staff time.
In downtown Meridian, we are on the verge of a truly transformative chapter with the redevelopment of the former Union 93 site into what will become Heritage Square. The site directly across the street from city hall has waited far too long for its moment and I am more optimistic about this block and the future of downtown than ever before.
Public safety continues to be a top priority. Our Police department is leveraging technology to better protect our community by using drones to respond faster with better information in the field to make better decisions and allowing time to develop a plan that can reduce risk.
Our Fire department has also utilized technology to increase efficiency, reducing total response times by 1 minute and 52 seconds and they earned national recognition for their prevention efforts that help keep families safe. These are the kinds of results that reflect both innovation and dedication.
Just as important is our financial stewardship. Meridian has maintained a clean audit for the past ten years and continues to operate with a debt-free balance sheet. As we look ahead to the 2027 budget, I have proposed utilizing the allowable 3% property tax increase, along with forgone revenue, to maintain service levels while holding discretionary spending flat. These decisions are not made lightly, but they are necessary as changes at the state level have resulted in an ongoing reduction in revenue tied to new growth.
The Idaho Legislature also introduced new challenges for cities, including further funding reductions, limitations on local input for large residential projects, and the loss of certain public safety tools. Despite these hurdles, Meridian will continue to advocate for policies that protect local decision-making and ensure our residents’ voices are heard.
At the same time, we are celebrating important milestones, including our nation’s upcoming 250th anniversary and the continued evolution of community assets and services across Meridian. I encourage everyone to celebrate this amazing anniversary, not with fireworks on the fourth. Be active in your communities, serve others, and teach your children what an amazing place the United States is.
This year, we honored Dr. Tracy Farnsworth with the Meridian Legacy Award for his leadership as President and CEO of the Idaho College of Osteopathic Medicine (ICOM). He has been here since ICOM’s beginning and has ensured a rising future for Meridian as the heart of healthcare in Idaho.
The State of the City is rising, and I am confident we will continue to rise to be the West’s premier community to live, work, and raise a family.
Watch Mayor Simison’s 2026 State of the City Speech on YouTube.
About the author
Dayami Stauff
Software Engineer