Luci Willits, currently serving her second term on the Boise City Council, offers a unique perspective on leadership and governance in Idaho’s capital city. As a self-described “lone lioness” – the only conservative voice on the council – Willits brings her background in business and her lifelong Idaho experience to the table, creating a balanced approach to city governance that focuses on economic vitality alongside environmental concerns.
Willits’ journey to city leadership began far from Boise’s urban center. Growing up in an unincorporated part of Jefferson County called Grant, Idaho, she was raised on 50 acres of potato farmland where she witnessed firsthand the challenges of small business entrepreneurship through her father’s various ventures. This upbringing instilled in her a deep appreciation for hard work, fiscal responsibility, and the struggles that business owners face. “My dad was this entrepreneur that tried and tried and tried,” Willits explains, noting how he taught her that “when you are a small business owner, you get paid last.” This formative experience shapes her approach to governance, where she consistently advocates for reducing artificial barriers to economic success.
The conversation highlighted several pressing issues facing Boise, with homelessness and housing affordability taking center stage. Willits praised the city’s collaborative approach to homelessness, which combines robust public safety measures with housing initiatives and partnerships with nonprofit organizations. She emphasized the importance of coordinated care systems and the role of organizations like Catch, Jesse Tree, and the Boise Rescue Mission in creating comprehensive solutions. “For homelessness, you need housing, you need help, and you also need rules,” Willits explained, stressing that effective approaches require both compassion and clear standards.
Housing affordability represents perhaps the most significant challenge for Boise’s continued growth and development. Willits voiced concerns about the unintended consequences of well-intentioned regulations that drive up construction costs. She cited specific examples, such as requirements for electric vehicle charging stations in new developments that can add $75,000 per stall when accounting for fire safety measures. “You can say we’re going to have highly regulated, highly government-subscribed housing that’s going to fit this box and it’s going to be expensive in Boise,” she noted, “But you can’t say we’re going to try to be helpful to reduce housing costs.” This pragmatic approach to housing policy reflects her broader philosophy that government intervention often creates problems that it then attempts to solve through subsidies.
Despite these challenges, Willits remains optimistic about Boise’s future, particularly highlighting investments in public amenities like parks and libraries. She described libraries as “many universities all around our city” that serve as vital gathering places for community connection. This commitment to public spaces reflects her belief that a thriving city requires both economic opportunity and cultural vibrancy. As Boise continues to grow, Willits advocates for thoughtful development that preserves what makes the city special while accommodating new residents and businesses.
Throughout the conversation, Willits emphasized the importance of civic engagement and respectful dialogue across political differences. “When people stop showing up, we have a problem,” she observed, encouraging citizens to remain involved even when frustrated with government decisions. Her willingness to stand as the sole dissenting voice on many council votes demonstrates her commitment to representing diverse perspectives. “I go in knowing every week that I am the lone lioness,” she acknowledged, yet she continues to advocate for her constituents and her principles with conviction and civility.
