(Pocatello for Accountable Government Entities, October 20, 2025)
The City HAS estimated cost numbers for various options related to the City Hall facility —they’ve had numbers for 18 months! Surprised? We aren’t. It’s not the first time we’ve learned about withheld information.
To aid in decision-making concerning the City Hall facility, the City of Pocatello, through the College of Business, had Bengal Solutions at Idaho State University complete a COST BENEFIT ANALYSIS in APRIL 2024.
This analysis examined 5 City Hall scenarios AND provided estimated “Present Value (PV)” numbers and “Net Present Values (NPV)” numbers for each scenario.
FACT: This COST BENEFIT ANALYSIS was NOT presented in a publicly noticed, transparent meeting during which Council could ask questions, decide how to use this information, ask for additional information, and/or decide how to proceed.
QUESTION: Did Council receive the COST BENEFIT ANALYSIS at any time during the last 18 months?
P.A.G.E. asked two councilmen, Nichols and Cheatum (in-person) if they received any reports/studies related to the City Hall issue —both replied “No.”
We also asked the question of councilmembers Paulsen, Mangum, and Bates. Councilmember Paulsen responded with another “No.” Bates also responded he hadn’t received anything. (Mangum has not yet replied.) We will update this post if we receive additional responses.) We also submitted a public record request for any emails sent to Council members containing this report. Our public record request was extended from 3-to-10 business days. We have no reason to doubt the four who responded to date, and no reason to believe all four forgot about the study/report.
**IF** Council was circumvented, Council members need to speak out and expose this fact. It’s not uncivil to be truthful. It’s not uncivil to publicly challenge actions of another when important information is withheld that may have some impact on decisions being made. Remaining silent is to be complicit. Leaders don’t hide information or protect others for their poor decisions/actions.
**IF** Council was provided with the COST BENEFIT ANALYSIS, Council needs to explain to the public why this information was kept from the public for the past 18 months.
Elected City Council representatives should receive as much information as possible to make informed decisions. The Cost-Benefit Analysis is just ONE piece of that.
We EMPHASIZE this is only one source of information (preliminary estimates) and OTHER factors and sources of information should be examined!
We RECOMMEND all citizens read this analysis to understand its strengths and limitations!
COST BENEFIT ANALYSIS: http://www.pagefiles.org/infodocs
We hope our elected officials will heed the advice given at the conclusion of the analysis:
“Getting public opinions and perspectives can help to make a decision as they can help clear a path best supported by the community.”
The five scenarios considered were:
1. Continue operating in the current building – no changes.
2. Continue operating in the current building – with renovations
3. Move City Hall operations to a RENOVATED building downtown and RENOVATE current City Hall for PPD use
4. Move City Hall operations to a RENOVATED building downtown and DEMOLISH the current City Hall to BUILD a new PPD building in the current location
5. Move City Hall operations to a RENOVATED building downtown, Move PPD to a NEWLY-BUILT location and DEMOLISH-AND-SELL current City Hall location
Note: We reworded these scenario descriptions for consistency of structure and clarity. Original wording is within the document linked above.
Cost Benefit Analysis *PRESENT VALUE “one-time cost” estimates (as of 04/2024) are:
–Scenario 1: $16,684,004.31 (includes $13,230,710.90 for PPD additional 46,528 SQ FT + HVAC/Plumbing repairs)
–Scenario 2: $27,430,650.00 (includes $13,958,400 for PPD additional 46,528 SQ FT and parking upgrades)
–Scenario 3: $31,362,596.80
–Scenario 4: $32,424,994.66
–Scenario 5: $32,163,596.80
*For Breakdowns, refer to the linked document
NOTE:
1. The estimates do NOT include any “additional” parking structures (i.e. acquisition, demolition, construction)
2. Also provided in the COST BENEFIT ANALYSIS are NET PRESENT VALUES (NPVs) and discussions of other considerations, finance, etc. for each scenario. [See page 17 for a summary chart]
