POST FALLS — Gang violence in Haiti.

Wars in Ukraine and the Gaza Strip. Atrocities against humanity happening abroad and stateside.

High inflation, high cost of living, high interest rates, political infighting.

“We live in challenging times," Post Falls Mayor Ron Jacobson said Tuesday.

Despite all of that, and despite the incivility that’s become so prevalent in society, Jacobson said it’s important to recognize how much North Idaho and especially Post Falls have to be thankful for.

"We still have people that will show the respect to people when respect is due,” he said. "It is pretty heartwarming to see that."

Jacobson delivered these remarks to a room of nearly 200 guests at the Prairie Falls Golf Club during his 2023 State of the City address at a Post Falls Chamber Connect 4 Lunch event.

Among the many highlights from the past year Jacobson discussed were city projects and accomplishments: Millworx; expansions at Northwest Specialty Hospital, the Post Falls Boys and Girls Club and Prairie Falls; and the construction of several new businesses.

He addressed the issue of growth in the River City. He said the number of single-family building permits has decreased in the past four years and multi-family building permits have decreased in the past three years. This may not seem to be the case as people see construction going up at Millworx, where the old Idaho Veneer facility was, or if they drive to the west side of town and look north of the freeway, he said.

"Bear in mind that a lot of these permits were approved two years ago, it just takes time to build," Jacobson said.

He said although the volume of permits has decreased, city staff members are still quite busy as the area experiences growth. 

"We're now seeing buildings built that were approved between 2020-2022," he said.

Development will continue to occur, he said, especially on the west side of the city — retail businesses, restaurants and industrial buildings.

"It'll be interesting to see how soon those fill up," he said.

He said transportation is always a concern regarding population growth.

"With all this growth, we do study the traffic," Jacobson said. "We do pay attention to what impact it's going to have."

Work on the Interstate 90 and State Highway 41 interchange is going into its second of four building seasons.

"We're not quite halfway through it yet," he said, adding that this project will be followed by a widening of I-90.

"They did take growth into consideration in that area," he said.

Jacobson paid tribute to Post Falls Police Officer Nicholas McDaniel, who died from a heart attack at the young age of 36 in October. Over 400 police officers and first responders from Boise, Caldwell, Moses Lake, the Coeur d’Alene Tribe and other local agencies participated in the funeral procession.

“We had officers on motorcycles standing in the pouring rain from Spokane County and Spokane city, saluting as the funeral procession went by,” Jacobson said.

“Very difficult to lose an officer like Nick McDaniel," he said. "I ask that you keep his fiancée and his sons in your prayers."

He shared his gratitude for the quick work of first responders when the Post Falls Community Forest caught fire in August. He discussed steps the city is taking to mend its strained relationship with Kootenai County following a difficult budget season and a lawsuit Post Falls and Coeur d'Alene filed against the county.

“Our relationship with the county has suffered due to what the treasurer has done, and it’s been exacerbated by inaccurate information we’re getting from the assessor’s office,” Jacobson said. "We've had a great relationship with the county and it has suffered a bit."

He said he is grateful Post Falls continues to be an example of generosity when it comes to helping those in need. He thanked the people of Post Falls for the privilege to serve as their mayor.

“It’s been 10 years. I think I have a couple more left, but it’s truly been a pleasure," Jacobson said. "Together, we will face the challenges that we encounter, and we’ll take steps to ensure that the city continues to thrive and prosper."

Info: postfalls.gov

    Nearly 200 people attended the Post Falls Chamber of Commerce's Connect 4 Lunch event Tuesday, during which Mayor Ron Jacobson gave his State of the City address.