BOISE, Idaho — The Ada County Commissioners have scheduled what’s being termed a “Growth Conversation with the Public” Wednesday, October 16, to see what area residents have to say about growth in the county.

“Unprecedented growth in Ada County is one of the most prominent subjects of discussion among both the public and policymakers throughout Idaho. Significant growth will continue in the next ten to twenty years, in some cases doubling the size of what are now relatively small Ada County cities,” said Ada County Communications Manager Elizabeth Duncan in a news release.

The meetings are scheduled from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. and from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Expo Idaho. “The interactive event will feature presentations from local and national experts on how to plan for continued growth in a fiscally responsible way that protects our quality of life,” Duncan said.

“For those of us who were born and raised in Idaho, the growth we have seen in the last ten years has been breathtaking,” said Ada County Commissioner Diana Lachiondo. “While we cannot stop growth, we can plan in a fiscally-responsible manner and work to retain our agricultural heritage and the open spaces we all love. This public conversation allows us to share the best information we have and hear from our community members on how they envision the future.”

The meeting will offer attendees the following presentations:

Coordinated Growth for Ada County – County Leadership Conversation

1:00 PM to 4:00 PM

1:00-1:15pm Introduction by Ada County Commissioner Kenyon

1:15-1:45pm Presentation by Ada County Staff: “Why have a Growth Conversation?”

1:45-2:15pm Presentation by Carson Bise: “Fiscal Realities of Growth”

2:15-2:45pm Presentation by Michael Lauer: “Toolbox for Fiscally Responsible Growth”

2:45-3:45pm Facilitated Group Discussion

3:45-4:00pm Discussion of next steps

Coordinated Growth for Ada County – A Public Conversation

5:00 PM – 7:00 PM

5:00-5:15pm Introduction by Ada County Commissioner Lachiondo

5:15-5:30pm Presentation by Jeff Lyons: Public Survey Responses to Growth in the Treasure

5:30-5:45pm Real-time survey: Service Provision in Ada County

5:45-6:00pm Presentation by Carson Bise: “Fiscal Realities of Growth”

6:00-6:15pm Presentation by Michael Lauer: “Toolbox for Fiscally Responsible Growth”

6:15-6:30pm Small-group discussion

6:30-6:55pm Question and answer session

6:55-7:00pm Discussion of next steps