Description: The population of Kuna, which is west of Boise, has grown from 600 to 6,000 in the last decade. After repeated conflicts over issues of growth and school funding, an organization called the Kuna Alliance for a Cohesive Community Team (Kuna ACT) was formed to foster better communication. Whenever a major policy question arises, Kuna ACT organizes an informational forum followed by a series of small-group circle discussions. An average of six forum/circles have been held each year for the last five years.

Dates active: 2000-present

Issue(s): Education; Planning and land use

Sub-issue(s): Strategic plan for community; schools; growth and planning; public safety; structure of government.

Level(s): City

Initiators: School superintendent, city council.

Particular goals: Develop strategic plan; develop and pass school bond issue; rebuild trust between schools and community; gather input on public decisions.

Number of participants/year: 500

Time spent by participants: 4+ hours.

Staffing/funding: Every major organization in the community makes a small donation ($500-$3,000) to support the time of the Kuna ACT coordinator.

How meetings were structured: Forums are straightforward, with a series of speakers; small-group circles are facilitated and follow a series of questions provided by Kuna ACT.

Sample outcomes: Establishment of Kuna as hub of a "Birds of Prey" area; improvements made to downtown; construction of high school using input gathered from young people and adults.

Benefits: Input gathered on practically every major and minor policy decision; reduction of tension around community conflicts.

Challenges: With some issues, not enough follow-up work to involve citizens in helping to implement policies.

Full story:

• Fanselow, Julie, Kuna, Idaho: Where a Community Pulls Together to Face Growth (Pomfret, CT: Paul J. Aicher Foundation, 2004).
• Goldman, Joe, "Kuna, Idaho," Report to the Kettering and Hewlett Foundations.

Related resources:

• "Changing the Way We Govern," Democratic Governance Panel, National League of Cities, 2006.

This case contributed by: Matt Leighninger, 2007