POST FALLS—Entering his third term as Mayor, Ron Jacobson gave his seventh State of the City address Tuesday at the Red Lion Templin's Hotel.

The crowd of well over one hundred, was the largest seen gathered at a monthly chamber meeting since being director, said President Christina Petit.

No one will deny that the River City has seen dramatic changes in recent times, one of the most impactful being COVID-19.

“COVID has been a really strange thing,” Jacobson said. “It has created so much controversy, so many fears and so much disension. It would be nice if we could return to normal, and see a return to civility and to treating each other with respect, like we’ve seen in the past. I look forward to those days.”

One good thing resulting from COVID-19, is the addition of three new grandchildren to his family, Jacobson said to a collective chuckle from the audience.

Drawing comparisons between 2020 and current numbers, Jacobson discussed the issuance of building permits this year.

Some permit numbers have not been as high as expected, despite the growth the area has seen, Jacobson said.

“Single family residential growth decreased in 2020 compared to 2019 and for 2021 we’re at 408 permits through the end of October,” Jacobson said. “We’re probably going to catch 2020. But it’s interesting to note that with all the talk of growth we are down to levels (equal to) 2018 and 2019.”

Multi-family building permits paint a different picture, Jacobson said, and there’s definitely been a spike.

“In 2020 almost 900 doors went in which is significantly higher than 2019, and 2021 is significantly lower than 2020,” Jacobson said.

With several multi-family projects under review, including Parkway Place which will offer 120 units and The Landings, expected to offer 168, Jacobson does have questions, he said.

“The sheer number of units we have seen and the locations do cause me concern,” Jacobson said.

A proponent for a larger lot size, he acknowledged that may not be the most efficient land use, and he understands the need for multi-family housing, Jacobson said. Most projects being built had been approved up to fifteen years ago, he said.

“How many multi-family units are going to be sustainable for the city?” Jacobson said. “The more we build, the more we’ll see people come into the area, and with the price of housing right now, that’s probably one of the few options that people can afford.”

Commercial growth is down in 2021, Jacobson said, but still thriving. Over 200 permits were taken out in 2020, and numbers are only slightly lower for 2021.

The spike in multi-family recently seen is out of alignment with previous years, when single-family and multi-family developments occurred more evenly with each other.

“Just looking at total permits, you can see that residential is the bulk of the permits that have been issued,” Jacobson said. “But it’s nice to see that commercial is a bigger percentage for 2021 because that does help spread the tax base for the city.”

New businesses like Super One and Peak Fitness expected along Highway 41, Elevate Academy scheduled to open in the fall of 2022 and Kenworth Sales, among others are evidence of the area’s healthy economy.

In 2001 the number of new jobs was about 10,310, Jacobson said. In 2020, that number increased to 14,575, which is an increase of 41%. While employment opportunities continue, current labor force statistics show a shortage of workers to fill those jobs, Jacobson said.

“We’re seeing a lot of people move here that are retired and a lot of people moving here that are bringing their jobs with them,” Jacobson said. “It is a concern I have, making sure that we have a workforce available.”

With praise for the Urban Renewal Agency, Jacobson said that renewal of five-hundred and forty eight acres in the downtown area and six-hundred acres on the westside of the city were both approved in June of 2021.

A main reason this was done is to help bring needed infrastructure to projects in those areas, Jacobson said.

The four districts managed by the Urban Renewal Agency started with a tax assessed value of $24 million.

“By the time those districts close out, the net increase in tax assessed value will be $152 million,” Jacobson said. “Applying that to the current levy rate will generate an additional $636,000 in revenue for the city.”

The city continues to make improvements to the roadways, with major improvements on Highway 41 anticipated to be completed next year and work on Highway 53, anticipated to begin in 2026.

A large part of the city budget is spent managing wastewater treatment. “We spend more money on the wastewater plant than anything else in the city,” Jacobson said. “And it is by necessity.”

Just over a year ago, Jacobson signed a contract for $40 million worth of improvements to the wastewater treatment system, he said.

“This $40 million will carry Post Falls well into the future,” Jacobson said.

However, according to John Beacham, public works director, ninety percent of the money spent is used to meet regulations imposed on the city by the EPA and other regulatory agencies, Jacobson said. Only ten percent is used to facilitate new growth.

The Police force received high approval from Jacobson. Crime rates remain low and the department's clearance rate of filing charges on alleged crimes is just under 68%, which is the highest in the department’s history, Jacobson said.

Jacobson said he is “thrilled beyond words” with the great staff he works with and offered the highest of accolades to the communities business owners, emergency services officers and medical facilities.