There is a lot that can be said about the unique dynamics of a city council. I may be biased, but Meridian has a great team who genuinely care about the future of our city, and strive to represent the greater community. It is a Council that stays focused on the services we provide to the community and the employees that do the work.

This group has had the service of Joe Borton for 14 of the last 18 years. But tomorrow, April 2^nd is Joe’s last day as a Meridian City Councilmember as he has been appointed the great honor of being District Judge to the Idaho Fourth Judicial District.

As a business owner in downtown, Joe has always been about the community. Joe has supported several community events with sponsorships, participated in downtown activities, supported the arts, and volunteered his legal talents to help those trying to make a difference.

As a member of the Meridian City Council, Joe focused on the city as an institution. He has consistently been the voice of reason on budget and policy issues. He helped navigate complex land use projects. Joe was a mentor to many who served and has helped me become the leader I am today.

Tomorrow, we will take some time to celebrate him and wish him our best as he continues to serve the residents of Idaho.  We will begin with a gathering on the 3^rd floor of Meridian City Hall from 3:30 to 4:30 pm for anyone who would like to stop by and say thank you. During the regular City Council meeting at 6 pm, we will also take some time to acknowledge Joe for his service. Thank you, Joe, for all that you have done for Meridian!

With Seat 1 being vacated, a resident of District 1 will have an opportunity to actively participate in shaping the future of our premiere city as the next member of the Meridian City Council. For residents who would like to be considered, applicants must meet the criteria outlined in the Meridian City Code Section 1-7-2. First and foremost, applicants must be qualified electors of Meridian and residents of District One. This means residing within District One boundaries at the time of appointment. Applicants must also be at least 18 years of age and U.S. citizens.

Applications are being accepted through the end of this week, until the close of business on April 5, 2024. The individual appointed will serve until January of 2026, following the next general election in November 2025.

For those interested and qualified, simply complete, sign, and deliver a resume along with a letter of interest to the City Clerk’s Office. These materials can be submitted in-person, by mail, or electronically. City Hall, located at 33 E. Broadway Avenue, Ste #104, is open Monday through Friday from 8am to 5pm. Mailed submissions must be postmarked no later than April 5, 2024, and electronic submissions must be emailed to cityclerk@meridiancity.org by 5:00pm on April 5. More details about applying can be found here.

Meridian is a vibrant and thriving community, and Councilman Borton played a key part in its strategic growth and development. If you are passionate about making a difference in local government, it could be your opportunity, so take some time to consider applying for this important role. Together, we can continue to build a Meridian that we are all proud to call home.

Thank you for your dedication to our community.