Record Shows Tom Dale Did Not Vote To Establish Nampa's Mercy Hospital Urban Renewal District

The story regarding formation of an urban renewal district around Nampa’s old Mercy Hospital has been filled with emotion and accusations.

Here is a deeper look at the record.

The Idaho Press Tribune published a questionnaire with Nampa Mayoral Candidate Bob Henry, on Friday, Oct 4. 2013. It included this exchange:

IPT:  SHOULD THE CITY HAVE MOVED FORWARD WITH THE OLD MERCY HOSPITAL PROJECT? HOW DID YOU VOTE OR HOW WOULD YOU HAVE VOTED ON THE MATTER?

Henry:  No. My vote was to not support the Old Mercy Hospital project. I stand by that decision.

Did Henry vote No? Did Nampa Mayor Tom Dale ever support an urban renewal district?

Further analysis is needed on this issue. On the vote which established the Mercy URD, Bob Henry voted YES to support establishment of the district. While it is true that Henry did vote NO in two earlier procedural votes to keep the ordinance alive and moving forward; on the critical vote which actually established the district, he changed his mind and voted YES.

The mayor's role in this process was to vote yes two times in order to keep the process moving forward. The first vote was to authorize the city attorney to draft the ordinance. After the second reading of the ordinance, the third reading was postponed until a second public hearing could be held.

After that public hearing on May 6, a vote was taken to move forward with the third reading of the ordinance. The Mayor voted yes - do the third reading. By Idaho State law, an ordinance doesn't become law until after the vote of city council following the third reading. After the third reading, Bob Henry changed his mind and voted YES to support establishment of the District. Voting in favor, Pam White, Martin Thorne, and Bob Henry. Opposed, Stephen Kren.

Mayor Dale did not have the opportunity to vote on establishing the district.

This information is all a matter of public record and can be found in Nampa City Council minutes.