IDAHO FALLS — Two weeks after being sworn in as Idaho Falls’ new mayor, Lisa Burtenshaw delivered her first State of the City address Wednesday afternoon, outlining a vision centered on growth management, improved city services and preparing the community for the future.
Speaking to a packed room at the Holiday Inn, Burtenshaw reflected on her four years serving on the City Council and said her priorities remain rooted in strengthening Idaho Falls while keeping residents informed and engaged.
“My focus hasn’t changed. It’s always been about building a strong community,” Burtenshaw said. “Our challenge now is to build this community for the next generation.”
Burtenshaw said one of her key objectives is improving how the city communicates with residents. She explained that city leaders are reviewing current communication channels and looking for new ways to ensure interactions with residents are consistent and helpful.
She said the goal is to make city connections more “pleasant, predictable and beneficial” — whether residents are calling with questions, trying to access resources or navigating city processes.
“We’re going to work harder to make sure that residents get the information they need when they need it,” said Burtenshaw.
She also pointed to permitting as an area where improving service can have an immediate impact, especially for business owners working through development and improvement projects.
Burtenshaw said she plans to spend the coming weeks visiting departments and working alongside city employees to better show residents what it takes to run Idaho Falls and deliver core services.
She said she will travel around the city to experience a range of operations firsthand — from infrastructure maintenance to public safety response.
“I’m going to be out there doing this and I’m going to show it … because it does take a lot to run the city,” she said to applause.
Burtenshaw also referenced several major projects completed in recent years, including the unveiling of the new police complex in 2024 and the completion of the new Peaking power plant in 2025, describing them as investments that have helped improve conditions across Idaho Falls as the community continues to grow.
While growth has created new opportunities for residents and the local economy, Burtenshaw acknowledged it has also brought frustrations — particularly related to roads and traffic congestion during ongoing construction and infrastructure projects.
“Some of these problems Idaho Falls cannot solve on its own,” she said. “We’re already working with the county and surrounding cities to coordinate our transportation network.”
She said Idaho Falls is partnering with Ammon to better coordinate traffic signals and improve traffic flow between communities, while also planning for multiple road improvements. Burtenshaw pointed to projects involving East River Road, the St. Leon exit, Iona Road and the installation of traffic signals on 49th South.
She also said the city is working with the Idaho Transportation Department on proposed changes to the Interstate 15/U.S. Highway 20 interchange.
“We are working to find ways to move traffic efficiently, especially for commuters, who we want to go around our city and not through our city,” Burtenshaw said. “Meeting these challenges is not going to be easy … and we need to be bold. These things are opportunities. If we miss the window, we miss the opportunity.”
Beyond transportation, Burtenshaw said partnerships and quality-of-life projects will remain important priorities. She referenced efforts connected to Idaho National Laboratory, the College of Eastern Idaho, continued housing development and improvements to parks and the city’s trail system.
The crowd responded strongly when Burtenshaw mentioned the possibility of bringing a multigenerational wellness center to Idaho Falls.
“I want a place where we can disconnect from the electronics and reconnect with people,” she said.
Burtenshaw closed her remarks by emphasizing that the city’s progress depends not only on government action but on the community as a whole — residents, business owners and local leaders working toward a shared vision.
“When I say the state of the city is strong, it’s because we are strong and we have a vision of how to keep it that way,” she said.
EastIdahoNews.com reported that a follow-up interview with Burtenshaw about her goals and priorities will be published in an upcoming story.
Originally reported by Rett Nelson, EastIdahoNews.com in East Idaho News.
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