Pocatello-Chubbuck Merger Advisory

Pocatello-Chubbuck merger advisory question a hot topic for upcoming Bannock County Election

Idaho State Journal -
By Shelbie Harris sharris@journalnet.com

An advisory question on the Bannock County election ballot this November asking voters if they would support studying the potential for a Pocatello-Chubbuck merger is attracting strong opposition from one of the cities involved.

Chubbuck’s Mayor Kevin England and the six members of the City Council on Oct. 11 said it was their explicit duty to issue a joint statement saying the ballot question was not an issue that affects the entire county and asked their city’s residents to vote against studying the merger.

“We have collectively heard from many citizens of Chubbuck, and without exception we have been asked by all to not allow this to happen,” England and Chubbuck City Council said about a potential merger of Pocatello and Chubbuck. “We say to each of you that we agree, but it is now up to you to make sure and vote no on the advisory question. The city of Chubbuck has a very bright future and to change course now, in our opinion, would be a mistake.”

A Letter from the Mayor and City Council

Oct 8, 2020

To the citizens of the City of Chubbuck,

As the duly elected Mayor and members of the City Council we felt it our explicit duty to make a united statement about the advisory question that will appear on the ballot in Bannock County this November 3^rd.

As elected officials we were never approached to find out our thoughts on the matter. As we understand it 2 individuals representing a small group of people (15 or less) approached the Bannock County Commissioners to ask them to place an advisory question on the ballot. Mayor England was invited to a meeting with the Commission to discuss this. At that meeting Mayor England let the commission know that in his opinion this was not a county issue but a city issue. There is Statutory Authority in our state code for commissioners to put an advisory question on the ballot for any issue before the citizens of that county.