Nampa City Council Pauses Mayor Appointment Process in Idaho, Eyes June Decision
Nampa, Idaho — The Nampa City Council has paused its effort to appoint a new mayor following the death of Mayor Rick Hogaboam, with city leaders announcing they anticipate resuming discussions on or around Monday, June 8. City Council President David Bills announced the pause Thursday, saying the council needs additional time to deliberate before making what he called “an important moment for our community.”
Background: A Vacancy Left by a Sudden Loss
Hogaboam died on March 18, prompting the city to convene an emergency meeting the following day. The council adopted a resolution consistent with Idaho Code 50-608, which places the authority to fill a mayoral vacancy solely with the city council. Under that same state statute, a special election is not permitted — meaning the council must make the appointment internally. Once appointed, the new mayor would serve until the November 2027 election, with the winner of that race sworn in January 2028.
The council has held two special meetings dedicated to the appointment process — on April 15 and April 20 — without reaching a final decision. The new mayor will be responsible for overseeing a $340 million budget and more than 800 full-time and part-time city employees, underscoring the weight of the decision facing the six-member council.
Four Candidates, Divided Council
Four individuals are currently under consideration for the appointment: former Nampa Mayor Debbie Kling, who served as mayor from January 2016 until Hogaboam was sworn in on January 5; Nampa Chief of Staff Clay Long; former Nampa City Council Member Darl Bruner; and Idaho District 12 Sen. Ben Adams.
The April 15 special meeting produced two failed appointment motions. Kling lost in a 4-2 vote, with Council Members Natalie Jangula and Dale Reynolds voting in favor and Council Members Victor Rodriguez, Debbie Skaug, Sebastian Griffin, and Bills voting against. Long, who is in the process of moving inside Nampa city limits, also fell short in a 4-2 vote that same day.
At the April 20 meeting, tensions escalated. Bills attempted to advance a motion that would have narrowed the field to Bruner and Long, but withdrew it before a vote could be taken. Jangula pushed back against what she described as an unequal process, saying she didn’t “appreciate my voice being thrown out” and calling it “very frustrating.” She advocated for each of the four candidates to have a formal interview opportunity with the full council.
“I’m not OK going through a process and not allowing everybody equal opportunity,” Jangula said during the meeting.
Sen. Adams, one of the four candidates, weighed in on the tensions following the April 20 session. “Our city council is taking this decision very seriously, as they should,” he said in an email. “This can lead to frustration when opinions don’t align, and we saw that on display Monday evening. I am praying for wisdom in their decision making and patience with each other as they move our city forward.”
Impact on Nampa Residents and City Operations
For Nampa residents — Canyon County’s largest city and one of the fastest-growing communities in the Treasure Valley — the prolonged vacancy at the top of city government raises practical questions about leadership continuity. The appointed mayor will be responsible for managing day-to-day operations, guiding city staff, and representing Nampa’s interests as growth pressure continues across the region.
Bills framed the pause as a deliberate act of respect for both the community and Hogaboam’s legacy. “This is an important moment for our community, and we must give it the time and respect it deserves,” he said in a statement. “Our goal is to make a decision that aligns with the values of our residents, honors Rick’s legacy and ensures stable leadership within the organization for continued success in delivering high-quality services to residents and businesses in Nampa.”
Residents frustrated with the pace of the process have made their voices heard, with some calling for a special election — an option the current state law does not allow. A separate civic action effort elsewhere in Canyon County reflects a broader appetite for direct citizen involvement in local governance; a Wilder resident recently launched a voter initiative to remove license plate reading cameras amid local leadership changes, signaling active civic engagement across the county.
What Comes Next
The Nampa City Council is expected to resume discussions on or around June 8, with a possible appointment vote at that time. The city stated that public notice will be provided if and when future candidate discussions are scheduled. Residents are encouraged to monitor official city communications for updates.
For broader statewide political coverage affecting Canyon County communities, visit Idaho News.