Caldwell’s city council will address firefighter compensation and downtown revitalization efforts at its Monday, August 3 meeting, with multiple items on the agenda that reflect ongoing negotiations with public safety personnel and continued development pressure in Canyon County’s second-largest city.
Firefighter Labor Agreement Under Review
The council will consider a labor contract with Caldwell Professional Firefighters IAFF Local 1056 that would establish pay scales and working conditions for the city’s fire department through September 30, 2029. The proposed agreement covers wages, overtime, scheduling, leave policies, health insurance, staffing levels, safety protocols, and other employment terms.
Current pay schedules included in the contract proposal range from $24.41 per hour for entry-level firefighters to $53.70 per hour for training captains. Intermediate positions include firefighter at $28.75 per hour, engineer at $32.67 per hour, captain at $36.53 per hour, and battalion chief at $40.35 per hour. Paramedic qualifications add $1.25 hourly, while bilingual certification earns an additional 50 cents per hour.
Downtown Investment and Planning Initiatives
Caldwell’s downtown district will be a focus of council action. The Kimball Alley Mini Plaza project, located between 9th and Kimball avenues, is on the agenda for consideration. The project carries a contract value of $874,142 and will create 5,500 square feet of community space in a central location.
The council also will review the Envision Central Caldwell 2050 long-range vision plan, which shapes the city’s strategy for growth and development in the decades ahead. This comprehensive planning effort reflects the city’s effort to guide future growth in line with community priorities.
School Resource Officer Placements
Three school districts have requested Caldwell Police Department school resource officers. Vallivue School District is seeking three officers at an annual cost of $306,400, with each officer scheduled for 80 hours every two weeks. Heritage Community Charter School is requesting one officer at $95,981 annually for 80 hours every two weeks. Thomas Jefferson is requesting one officer at $51,583.56 annually for 40 hours every two weeks. The council will decide whether to approve these staffing requests.
Subdivision and Annexation Actions
The council faces several development proposals. West Haven No. 2, a 12-acre subdivision, will be reviewed for final plat approval. The project includes 90 attached single-family homes and 7 common lots. Shadow Glen commercial subdivision, comprising about 1.5 acres, will also be considered for final plat status.
Valencia Village Phase 2 annexation into the Caldwell Municipal Irrigation District will be addressed. The 13-acre phase includes 53 buildable lots, 19 common lots, and 1 commercial lot.
The council will also revisit a controversial development issue. In July, the city denied a request from BST Dev to substantially revise the Covington Square subdivision, which was originally approved in 2019 for 29 homes on about 15 acres. The developer’s request sought to increase the total to 48 homes, adding 19 units to the original plan. That decision will factor into how the council approaches future density and design modifications for approved projects.
Additional Agenda Items
A fiber-optic conduit agreement is also on the agenda with a contract value of $2,000, reflecting Caldwell’s ongoing infrastructure expansion efforts in a growing region.
The Monday meeting reflects the range of issues facing Caldwell’s leadership as the city manages growth, compensates public safety personnel competitively, and invests in downtown amenities. Council meetings are typically open to the public and held at Caldwell City Hall.