Judge to Decide Victor Wastewater Borrowing April 7

VICTOR — A hearing that could determine the financial future of the Victor wastewater project is scheduled for April 7 in Teton County District Court.

Judge Steven Boyce will hear Victor's petition under Idaho's Judicial Confirmation Law, a mechanism that allows cities to take on long-term debt without a public vote if a judge declares the project "ordinary and necessary." Victor is seeking authorization to borrow approximately $35 million for the design, construction, and operation of its own wastewater treatment plant on 40 acres annexed north of town in January.

The hearing is open to the public.

If Boyce approves, Victor gains the borrowing authority it needs to move forward with construction. If he denies it, the city would need voter approval through a bond election — a far more uncertain path politically, especially with a recall effort underway.

The borrowing question sits at the center of the broader Victor-Driggs wastewater dispute. Victor's lawsuit alleges that Driggs's wastewater plant has been among the worst-performing facilities in Idaho, citing EPA records showing more than 3,700 permit violations between 2012 and 2017 and Idaho Conservation League rankings placing the plant as the state's worst polluter in multiple periods between 2017 and 2023. Victor also alleges it has been overbilled by more than $300,000 in debt service payments that Driggs collected but did not apply to the underlying loan.

Driggs has not publicly responded to the specific financial allegations. Mayor Christensen has said the city is "confident with our legal position" and expects the case to play out over multiple years.

Based on publicly available estimates, the $35 million project financed over 30 years at 4% interest through the Idaho Bond Bank would cost Victor ratepayers significantly more per month than current arrangements.

What to watch: April 7, Teton County Courthouse, Driggs. This is the most consequential public hearing in the valley this spring.

Sources: Victor city website; Teton County District Court docket; City of Victor and City of Driggs public statements.