Mayor Debbie Kling of Nampa, Idaho, recently joined the Ever Onward podcast to discuss her eight years of leadership, the challenges of growth, and her personal journey balancing public service with caregiving responsibilities. The conversation provides valuable insights into municipal leadership and the transformation of one of Idaho’s fastest-growing cities.
Mayor Kling opened up about her personal life, sharing that she serves as a caregiver to her bedridden husband who suffers from a rare disease called posterior cortical atrophy. This candid glimpse into her life revealed the strength behind her leadership – balancing evening and weekend caregiving while serving as mayor during the day. Rather than viewing these challenges as burdens, Mayor Kling emphasized how difficult experiences develop empathy and provide perspective, saying, “The key is walking through it with joy.” This authentic leadership approach has defined her tenure as mayor, connecting her deeply with the community she serves.
Growth management has been the defining challenge throughout Mayor Kling’s eight-year tenure. When she first took office, growth was the primary concern, and ironically, it remains the foremost challenge today. The conversation highlighted the complexity of managing expansion while maintaining community values. Mayor Kling emphasized that having no growth presents its own problems, pointing out that many communities would envy Nampa’s “problem” of rapid development. She discussed the importance of master-planned communities that incorporate mixed housing densities, commercial spaces, and recreational areas as the ideal approach to smart growth. The discussion touched on how the city has evolved from worrying about keeping young people in Idaho to now focusing on making housing affordable for the workforce they’ve successfully attracted.
Downtown revitalization emerged as a key focus of Nampa’s development strategy. Mayor Kling shared exciting plans for downtown Nampa, including multi-family housing with commercial spaces below, preservation of historic buildings, and an implementation plan that will transform the downtown area. She noted that recent changes in building ownership have created opportunities for new businesses and restaurants. The downtown plan incorporates lessons from successful urban renewal projects while maintaining Nampa’s distinct character and heritage.
The relationship between state and local government was another significant topic. Mayor Kling expressed frustration with the contradiction she sees in the legislature – advocating for state autonomy from federal control while simultaneously limiting local government authority. She cited House Bill 389 and other legislative actions that have removed nearly $3 million from Nampa’s budget, impacting the city’s ability to fund growth-related needs. This disconnect highlights the challenges mayors face when state policies restrict their ability to address community-specific issues.
Mayor Kling concluded with a message of hope and pride in Nampa’s achievements, particularly highlighting the city’s impressive 28% reduction in Class A crimes since 2020. She credited the new integrated command center and real-time crime center for enhancing public safety. Throughout the conversation, her leadership philosophy shone through – emphasizing stewardship, integrity at “100%, not 99%,” efficiency, and a focus on return on investment for taxpayer dollars. As she faces another election, Mayor Kling’s vision remains clear: for Nampa to be “a city set on a hill whose light shines,” preserving the core values of family, faith, and community while embracing smart growth strategies.
