Nampa voters rejected a proposed $5 million public safety levy, with unofficial results showing 11,041 votes against and 8,981 in favor as of 11:25 p.m. The measure received 44.9% support and 55.1% opposition, but needed 60% approval to pass.
Nampa Public Safety Levy Vote
The levy would have funded 24 additional Nampa Police Department positions: 16 patrol officers and eight corporals. It also would have supported recruitment and retention efforts and paid for a police training facility.
The department currently uses the Meridian Police Department’s facility for training. If approved, the levy would have begun generating $5 million annually in the fiscal year starting Oct. 1, 2027.
Impact on Nampa Police Services
The proposed tax would have cost $28.93 per year for each $100,000 of taxable assessed value, based on current conditions.
Joe Huff, chief of the Nampa Police Department, said the department has about 160 personnel and includes school resource officers, narcotics officers and detective divisions. He said growth in Nampa has left the patrol division short of staffing.
Huff said the levy’s failure could lead to changes in call response and department services. The department plans to consolidate some smaller units and return officers to patrol.
It is not known whether the Nampa Police Department will seek the levy again.