Mayor's Message
Hello Rexburgers…..Happy Independence Week! Some of you will receive this after July 4th, and my wife says it’s OK to celebrate her birthday for a couple weeks, so I’m assuming we’re OK to celebrate our country’s independence in the same way.
I was driving through a neighborhood recently, and I saw a row of several American flags flying across the front lawn of a resident there. It was nice to see the beautiful Stars and Stripes waving in the breeze, and brought patriotic feelings to my soul. As I drove home, my thoughts rambled around the idea of “What is real patriotism?” Certainly, flying the nation’s emblem is very patriotic, as are the brave men and women serving us to protect our freedoms around the world. I thought about the actions that we each can take on a daily basis to be true patriots. Just going to work and giving an honest day’s work for a day’s pay is one way. And what about all those who volunteer by picking up trash along our roadways, coach a little league baseball, soccer, football, or basketball team, or those who volunteer to teach art classes or participate in our orchestra, choirs, and any number of cultural events to build the community. There are good folks who serve on our city, county, state, and national boards and committees. I know many who serve our community through the Chamber of Commerce, Kiwanis, Rotar,y and other service clubs. And maybe most important of all, the Moms and Dads, Grandma’s and Grandpa’s, Aunts, Uncles, neighbors and friends who help teach our kids the values that we hold dear, of faith in and service to God, Family and Country.
Yes, my friends, flying the flag is awesome, and I hope we all continue to do so proudly, but I hope and encourage all of us to consider doing our part in the actions that make our country and community truly great, as mentioned above. Thank you for all you do to be awesome citizens of this great land.
I hope we will each take note of those who are actively serving and have served our country in the branches of the military and other ways, and thank them for helping to keep us enjoy the freedoms that we do. Their families deserve so much thanks and support too, especially when a loved one is deployed or away for extended periods. Let’s all pull together!!
Thank you for all you do to keep Rexburg a great place!
Sincerely, Mayor Jerry Merrill Idaho!!!
LIfe is Great.......in Rexburg,
Meetings:
City Council: 7/2 & 7/16 6:30pm
Planning & Zoning: 7/2 & 7/17 6:30pm
Announcements:
CITY OFFICES WILL BE CLOSED ON JULY 4TH
RECREATION:
You can access online program registration through the City’s website. Scroll down and under Departments click “Recreation.” On the Recreation page you will see the Arts and Recreation Guide. Click on the link to view what the City is offering and to find the link to the city’s Rec1 catalog. There you can register for programs and leagues. rexburg.org/o/parksrecreation/page/recreation-guide
CULTURAL ARTS:
7/14 Arts in the Park: American Footworks /Porter Park / 7:30 PM
7/18 Annie Jr. / Romance Theater / 7 PM /Tickets rexburgarts.org
7/19 Annie Jr. / Romance Theater / 2 PM (matinee w/ASL), 7 PM / Tickets rexburgarts.org
7/21 Arts in the Park: Community Square Dancing / Porter Park / 7:30 PM / Free
7/28 Arts in the Park: Local Kin / Porter Park / 7:30 PM / Free
UTILITIES:
URGENT: DO NOT INCLUDE ANY OF THE FOLLOWING ITEMS IN YOUR GARBAGE AS IT MAY CAUSE DAMAGE TO SANITATION VEHICLES.
Asphalt, gravel, rocks, sod, or dirt Asphalt shingles
Boards, doors, pallets, or plywood Cinder blocks
Concrete
Glass - other than normal bottles or small containers
Grass clippings
Sheetrock
Car batteries
Hot ashes & coals
White goods (stoves, washers, dryers, refrigerators, dishwashers, etc.) Mattresses
Carpet or carpet padding
Dead animals
Metal objects
Waste oil (motor, food, grease, etc.) Paint
Tires
Tree limbs or tree stumps
Christmas trees
Any other yard waste, large items, or construction material that may cause damage to sanitation vehicles.
Rexburg Police Station Bond
The City of Rexburg and the Rexburg Police Department are actively exploring options to construct a new police station to replace their existing facility. The City has been setting aside funds for this project over the past several years and is now under contract to purchase land for a new building.
Following discussions with project consultants, it has become evident that the current savings will not fully cover the total cost of construction. To proceed, the City will need voter approval of a bond, which requires a super-majority (66.67%) vote in a Rexburg city election.
We are working to place this bond measure on the November 2025 ballot. While we are still finalizing details, our goal is to provide transparency throughout the process so residents can make an informed decision. In the coming months, we will share additional information, including preliminary concepts and police department statistics. These updates will be shared through our digital platforms and in the City’s monthly newsletter.
Thank you & stay tuned, Mayor Jerry Merrill & Chief Joshua Rhodes
Why a New Police Facility is Being Considered
As Rexburg continues to grow, the demands on our police department have increased significantly. The current police station, originally acquired for a much smaller department, now faces several critical challenges:
Size of Facility: The size of a police facility can affect daily operations, staffing, vehicle parking, and training capacity.
Infrastructure & Technology: The existing building no longer meets modern safety, technological, or energy-efficiency standards for accreditation by the Idaho Chief of Police Association (ICPA).
Public Safety Standards: Today’s law enforcement operations require secure evidence processing areas, enhanced safety for staff, and private, confidential spaces for victims and members of the public.
Future Preparedness: It is the goal of the department to accommodate future population growth and emergency response capabilities.
Where We Are in the Process
The new Police Station project is currently in the concept design and preliminary planning phase. Key activities underway include:
Site selection & land acquisition
Development of Initial architectural concepts
Estimation of preliminary construction costs
Coordination with City Council and public safety leadership
Preparation for upcoming community engagement events to share concepts and gather input
Upcoming Bond Events:
July 10th, Police Station Community Open House, 4-6 pm
July 16th, City Council Town Hall Q&A at 5:30 pm
Bond Election Ordinance proposal to City Council
August 11th, Police Station Community Open House to view concepts and ask questions, 4-6 pm
August 20th, Ordinance 3rd Reading
August 29th, Ballot submission questions due to Madison County