HomeMy WebLinkAboutRexburg Community Final SurveyRexburg Community Survey
Message from the Chief
Dear Residents,
In November, Rexburg voters considered a bond proposal related to police department facilities. While a
majority voted in favor, the measure narrowly fell short of Idaho’s 66.67% requirement and did not pass.
We heard a range of views about cost, timing, need, and trust. Before any decisions are made about whether
to revisit this issue, we want to understand your perspective directly and clearly.
This survey is anonymous and takes about 6-8 minutes. Your feedback will help City leaders evaluate options
that reflect community priorities.
If you would like more information about the bond, details on the proposed facility, or to contact us, please visit
https://www.rexburg.org/page/rpd-station-bond (https://www.rexburg.org/page/rpd-station-bond).
Thank you for taking a few minutes to participate.
Chief Joshua Rhodes
Rexburg Police Department
Awareness and Trust
1. Before today, how familiar were you with the November 2025 police facilities bond proposal?
Very familiar Somewhat familiar Not very familiar
Not at all familiar
2. Before today, were you aware the November 2025 police facilities bond received a majority of “yes”
votes but did not reach Idaho’s required 66.67% threshold?
Yes No Not sure
3. How confident are you that you understand what a general obligation bond is and how it is repaid?
Very confident Somewhat confident Neutral
Not very confident Not confident at all
4. How concerned are you about your overall property tax burden today?
Very concerned Somewhat concerned Not very concerned
Not at all concerned Not sure or prefer not to say
5. How confident are you that the City will manage a major construction project responsibly and use
funds efficiently?
Very confident Somewhat confident Neutral
Not very confident Not confident at all
6. Overall, how would you rate the Rexburg Police Department’s performance in serving the
community?
Very negative Somewhat negative Neutral
Somewhat positive Very positive
Your Experience with the Prior Bond
In the November 2025 election, the police facility bond passed with a majority but did not reach the required
66.67% supermajority threshold, and turnout was low. City leaders are evaluating what concerns drove the
prior bond results and how a new plan could better align with community priorities.
If the City does not pursue a future bond, the Police Department would continue operating in the current facility
while evaluating whether to delay any future general obligation bond to a later election date. Delaying action
may affect the timeline and could increase the total cost of addressing facility constraints. For major city
facilities like a police station, the City’s primary long-term financing tool is a voter-approved general obligation
bond repaid through property taxes.
7. Which best describes your participation in the November 4, 2025, election?
I voted I did not vote I was not eligible at the time
Not sure Prefer not to say
8. Which best describes your position in that election?
I voted Yes I voted No I did not vote
Not sure Prefer not to say
9. What were the main reasons you voted the way you did—or did not vote?
For No Voters (Select up to 3):
Tax impact seemed too high Project felt too
large/expensive for Rexburg
Prefer
renovation/repurposing of an
existing building (yet to be
purchased) instead of new
construction
Reduce existing debt before
taking on new debt
Need/scope was not
explained clearly enough
Concern about
oversight/accountability and
spending controls
Concern about
location/neighborhood
impacts
BYU–Idaho should
contribute to the project (as
applicable)
Other (Please specify)
For Yes Voters, please tell us why you voted in support of the bond:
If you didn’t vote, why not?
I didn’t know it was on the
ballot
I didn’t have enough
information to decide
I don’t typically vote in
smaller/odd-year elections
Other (Please specify)
10. Over the next three years, several voter-approved bonds (including two School District bonds and a
library bond) are scheduled to expire. How, if at all, would having that information affect your
support for a possible police facility bond?
Much more likely Somewhat more likely No change
Somewhat less likely Much less likely Not sure
11. What information would be most helpful if the City considers a revised proposal? (Select up to 3)
Clear explanation of current
facility limitations and
operational impacts
Explore cost-reduction
options
Options analysis:
renovate/repurpose vs build
new (with pros/cons)
Independent oversight plan
and public reporting
(budget/schedule/change
orders)
Facility tour or short
walkthrough video of current
conditions
Location analysis and
mitigation plan (traffic,
neighborhood impacts)
Other (Please specify)
Priorities, concerns, and options
Rexburg has grown, and modern police operations require secure evidence handling, updated technology, and
space that supports confidential interactions with the public (including victims), training/readiness, and day-to-
day staffing and operations. The City and Police Department have identified constraints in the current facility
that affect efficiency, privacy, security, and long-term readiness.
12. Which facility needs are most important to address? (Select up to 3)
Adequate space for staffing
and daily operations
Secure evidence
processing/storage
Private/confidential spaces
for victims and the public
Updated building
infrastructure and
technology
Training space and
readiness
Parking/vehicle functionality
and security
Capacity for future growth Not sure / need more
information
Other (Please specify)
13. Which concerns matter most to you regarding a potential future police facilities bond? (Select up to
3)
Property tax
impact/affordability
City debt and financial
priorities
Size/scope feels too large
Need has not been clearly
explained
Oversight/accountability and
spending controls
Location and neighborhood
impacts
Timing/competing measures Not sure / need more
information
Other (Please specify)
14. How much do you agree: “Rexburg needs a new or updated police facility.”
Strongly agree Somewhat agree Neutral
Somewhat disagree Strongly disagree
Support and decision factors
General obligation bonds are repaid through property taxes over time. If the City considers a future proposal,
the City can provide clear examples of estimated annual tax impact by home value, along with project
oversight and reporting details.
15. When thinking about potential ballot measures, how much does your overall property tax burden
influence your vote?
A great deal Somewhat A little
Not at all Not sure or prefer not to say
16. Based on what you know today, would you support a future bond measure to address police facility
needs?
Strongly support Somewhat support Neutral or Unsure
Somewhat oppose Strongly oppose
17. Some communities consider a phased approach – building a smaller facility now to reduce the initial project
cost, with the possibility of expanding later if needed (which would require additional funding at that time).
How would a phased approach affect your support for a police facility bond?
Much more likely to support Somewhat more likely to
support
No change
Somewhat less likely to
support
Much less likely to support I support addressing the
need, but would prefer
building the full facility now
(including unfinished space
planned for future use)
Not sure/need more
information
18. What would you most want City leaders to understand about your perspective on a future police
facilities bond?
Communications
19. How would you prefer to receive information about any future proposal? (Select all that apply)
Mail (postcard/flyer)Email newsletter City website page/FAQs
City App and Text (would
require opt-in)
Rexburg Police social media City social media
Community meetings/open
houses
Short explainer videos Local news coverage
Other (Please specify)
Demographics (optional)
20. Are you registered to vote in Madison County (or do you plan to be registered before the next
election)?
Yes No Not sure
Prefer not to say
21. How often do you vote in local elections (city/school/bond elections)?
Always Often Sometimes
Rarely Never Prefer not to say
22. Do you own or rent your home?
Own Rent Other
Prefer not to say
23. How long have you lived in the Rexburg area?
Less than 1 year 1–4 years 5–9 years
10–19 years 20+ years Prefer not to say
24. Age group
18–24 25–34 35–44
45–54 55–64 65+
Prefer not to say