(Idaho Falls, ID) – Applications for the Connecting Us, Sustaining Progress - or CUSP Initiative - are now available for citizens to apply for membership on one of eight subcommittees tasked with looking at best practices and recommendations for the future of Idaho Falls.
The CUSP Project has a purpose of engaging “energetic 21st century leadership so as to maintain, sustain and even improve the range of opportunities available to all Idaho Falls citizens now and into the future.” Committees that citizens can apply for include education; diversity and inclusion; environment and sustainability; public and personal safety; community enrichment; healthcare and public health; housing and transportation; and economic and business climate.
“As elected officials we are commonly asked to protect and preserve what we do well, but to also look at ways we can do more,” said Idaho Falls Mayor Rebecca Casper, in a July 22 City Council work session. “We are looking for information…data…what should we be doing, how do we stack up right now and how can we get better for the future. How do we have a meaningful impact on the future of our community?”
The areas to be studied as part of the CUSP Initiative are not areas typically served by the city or its departments. However, they are areas that touch the entire community and committee members will be asked to bring their talents and experiences to the effort to help find ways to create meaningful and long term improvements to the areas in which they participate.
“It has been my privilege to meet a wide variety of people, engaged citizens while serving as the mayor, and without question people I get to meet…care about this city in ways that are intense and different, and that has been one of the best parts of this job,” said Mayor Casper. “They come from all walks of life, they bring a vast array of experiences and talents to the community and have widely varying backgrounds. Our community is colorful, diverse, textured. That is what makes it special.”
On the application, citizens can rank their top three choices of committees to work on; however, depending on the amount of applications, not all who apply may be selected for a committee assignment. Applicants should also list their skills and interests that qualify them for their particular areas of interest. Citizens do not need to be residents of Idaho Falls to apply.
Applications for citizens to be a part of one of the subcommittees on the project, which was unanimously approved by the Council at the July 25 City Council meeting, can be downloaded from the front page of the City of Idaho Falls website or by clicking here. Applications must be delivered in person to the Mayor’s office or e-mailed. All applications must be received by 5 p.m. on October 11, 2019.
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Media Note: For additional information or to arrange and interview with city staff, please contact City of Idaho Falls Public Information Officer Bud Cranor at 208-612-8306.