POST FALLS — State and local lawmakers gathered Thursday for the inaugural "Council of Mayors" meeting, an effort aimed at improving communication about proposed legislation in Idaho.

Hayden Mayor Alan Davis, Post Falls Mayor Randy Westlund and Rathdrum Mayor John Hodgkins represented North Idaho cities during the discussion at Kindred Coffee Co.

“We would like to, on a regular basis, hear what your priorities are each year and understand the desired outcomes of your proposed legislation,” Davis said. “I don’t think mayors should be strangers to our legislators.”

The meeting comes during city budget season, as municipalities assess anticipated revenues and expenses to establish spending plans for the coming year.

One of Hodgkins' concerns was House Bill 389, which was passed five years ago. Among other provisions, the law reduced a city's taxable growth to 90% of its total growth. Hodgkins said Rathdrum has several major projects planned, including a hospital and power plant, and that HB 389 will "severely limit" the city's ability to provide services.

“Really, the biggest thing from our perspective is the pain we're getting from growth,” he said.

Westlund said he would like to establish a stronger connection with the people working on legislation. Similar discussions are typically conducted through the Association of Idaho Cities, but Westlund said he often disagrees with the positions the organization takes and finds it of "limited usefulness" in conversations like Thursday's meeting.

“I think having this sort of direct connection is really nice, that we can talk through some of the issues we're trying to solve together,” he said.

Senators and representatives took turns explaining the challenges of communicating with constituents during the legislative session. They cited limited staff support, differing schedules between the Idaho Senate and House of Representatives, and the demands of their workloads.

State leaders who attended the meeting included Reps. Jordan Redman, Tony Wisniewski, Ron Mendive, Vito Barbieri and Elaine Price, along with Sens. Ben Toews, Carl Bjerke, Doug Okuniewicz and Phil Hart.

Redman, who represents District 3 and has constituents in all three cities represented at the meeting, said he appreciated the opportunity to communicate directly with local officials and gain firsthand insight into the effects of legislation, rather than relying solely on information from the Association of Idaho Cities.

“I think we probably align more than AIC would make us think,” Redman said.

Hart asked whether the council could help promote the idea that state legislators need more "bandwidth" to better assist cities.

“I think we're willing to do that,” Davis replied.

Davis also proposed a system in which city attorneys could review potential state legislation before it is voted on and help identify its possible impacts.

Bjerke, whose district includes portions of Post Falls, said he liked the concept of the council and emphasized the importance of Westlund having his “finger on the pulse” of what Post Falls residents want.

Barbieri raised concerns about the practicality of notifying a group of mayors about incoming legislation, saying it was "not reality." Okuniewicz echoed those concerns and said cities should be receiving information about proposed legislation from lobbyists.

Price said the state's bill-drafting process differs significantly from those used by Idaho cities and noted that, "a lot of times," the first time a representative sees a bill is when it reaches committee.

Davis assured the legislators that the mayors would work together as a unified group rather than approach lawmakers with competing demands.

The meeting ended without any formal agreements or plans for future meetings, though attendees generally supported the idea of involving cities in drafting legislation. Several participants also offered to help establish the process.

“If you've got something that matters, that's the way to do it,” Okuniewicz said.