Op-Ed: Vote In Favor of the Nampa Auditorium District – it is right for Nampa

By Jimmie Wisler • November 3, 2024

The following Op-Ed was submitted by Jimmie Wisler, owner of International Minute Press. Op-Eds do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of those at the Idaho Dispatch.

I urge my fellow Nampa residents to join me in supporting the Nampa Auditorium District initiative on the November 5 ballot.

This initiative offers a smart solution to fund the much-needed improvements and enhancements for two of our city’s most valuable assets-the Ford Idaho Center and the Nampa Civic Center-without burdening local taxpayers.

As our community grows and attracts more visitors, these venues face increasing wear and tear from hosting hundreds of thousands of guests annually. Both facilities are crucial to our local economy, serving as hubs for concerts, high school sporting events, graduations, the rodeo, and many other activities that draw people to Nampa. However, the costs of maintaining these aging structures continue to rise. By creating an Auditorium District, we establish a dedicated funding stream through a minimum 5-percent fee on hotel stays. This means visitors-rather than Nampa residents-will be responsible for supporting our event centers’ upkeep. It’s a proven approach already used successfully in other Idaho cities like Boise, Idaho Falls, and Pocatello.

This initiative isn’t just about maintaining buildings and protecting our cultural and economic future. These venues are essential to Nampa’s identity, and ensuring they remain functional and attractive is critical to our city’s continued success.

Let’s take this opportunity to support our community’s future without adding to our own tax burden. Vote “yes” on the Nampa Auditorium District on November 5.