HAYDEN'S HEYDAY
Hayden Mayor Steve Griffitts delivers his State of the City address on Thursday morning at the Kroc Center in Coeur d’Alene. Growth and the possibility of floating a levy increase to voters in November were themes. BRIAN WALKER/Press
LOREN BENOIT/Press Traffic heads north and south on Government Way near Aqua Avenue Thursday afternoon in Hayden. The city of Hayden has plans to widen Government Way this year to improve traffic and pedestrian mobility.
An SUV heads north on Government Way Thursday afternoon in Hayden. The city of Hayden has plans to improve Government Way from Aqua to Prairie this year. (LOREN BENOIT/Press)
COEUR d'ALENE — In baseball speak, Hayden Mayor Steve Griffitts hit for the cycle on the victories and challenges of growth during his State of the City address on Thursday.
The St. Louis Cardinals fan led off by informing 115 Chamber of Commerce members at the Kroc Center that the city issued a decade-high 208 permits for new homes in 2017.
"We measure our success by growth, business development and job creation," Griffitts said.
While last year’s number wasn’t an all-time record — 320 were issued in 2004 — it was among the city’s biggest yearly growth spurts.
"We’re one of the fastest-growing communities in one of the fastest-growing states," Griffitts said.
The estimated number of new jobs created in 2017 was 393, more than doubling the 152 in 2016.
With commercial and light industrial projects, there are 25 new or relocated businesses in recent months and 17 company expansions.
But with growth comes demand for services such as public safety and sewer system upgrades mandated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Griffitts said.
Combine those needs with the fact that Hayden’s property tax levy rate is $1.28 per $1,000 — a quarter of that of neighboring cities — and that’s why the city will likely float a levy increase proposal to voters in November.
"We will not likely go anywhere near $5 (of other area cities), but we probably need to get closer to $3," he said.
The City Council, however, has not made a decision on the proposal or any details. The city is contemplating providing funding for four additional deputies, will have to spend about $8 million in wastewater collection system upgrades in upcoming years, $13 million in treatment plant upgrades and about $800,000 annually for road upgrades.
"From a regulatory standpoint, we are required to make the sewer improvements," Griffitts said. "We also have a level of responsibility to provide law enforcement.
"(The levy increase) has to be done. We’ll do our homework and provide the data so you can make a decision."
Griffitts said the city is trying to be as diligent as it can to make growth pay its way through impact fees and partnerships with developers. He said Viking Construction, for example, is partnering with the city on a lift station for the Carrington Meadows subdivision near the airport.
Upcoming projects include improving Government Way from Aqua to Prairie and Hayden from U.S. 95 to Government Way; a bus stop at Walmart; a new playground complex at Stoddard Park; and a roundabout intersection at Honeysuckle and Ramsey.
In the "fun" category, Hayden’s Recreation Department offers 57 community events and programs. Recent parks projects include the construction of Pawfoot Park and shade structures at Croffoot Park, and new wood edging on the Honeysuckle Beach dock.
Griffitts praised the efforts of outgoing chamber Executive Director Erna Rhinehart, who is retiring. Diane Higdem, former events coordinator for the Coeur d’Alene Chamber, was named her replacement.
Griffitts’ remarks drew a standing ovation when he said the Chamber formerly had financial struggles and Rhinehart was part of the team that "pulled us forward."