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Municipal Management
Teamwork propels Nampa forward By JUDE STRIEBY | The Municipal
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Nampa Mayor Debbie Kling TOP PHOTO: Nampa, Idaho, has headed WalletHub.com’s “Best-Run Cities in America” list, claiming the No. 1 spot again in 2021. Teamwork has been one key to the city’s success. (Tamanoeconomico via English Wikimedia Commons; https:// creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/ deed.en) 44 THE MUNICIPAL | SEPTEMBER 2021
ells in the body need to exhibit partnership in order for the body to exist and thrive. A parallel could be drawn between this example and a city in Idaho that has garnered attention for similar reasons. Sitting 22 miles west of Boise is Nampa, Idaho. Since 2017, WalletHub.com has deemed Nampa the “Best-Run City in America.” The WalletHub scoring system is centered on many subcategories within the criteria of recreational friendliness, financial stability, education, health, safety, economy, infrastructure and pollution. But, a number is just a number. The question is, how is such a high score achieved?
“This award takes all citizens to have accomplished it,” said Mayor Debbie Kling. “Teamwork is key, and so is communication. It is a true honor for Nampa to be recognized, especially because we work together diligently to serve and make the community better.” Kling has been in office since 2018, and her words echo the atmosphere found within the city. “Our town priorities are simple,” she stated. “Safety, infrastructure and economic options.” Upon exploration, these priorities can be traced as far back as the 1800s. The Oregon Short Line Railroad built tracks from Wyoming to Oregon in the 1880s. On that line, a train depot was built,
