Communication and Public Awareness
Frequently Asked Questions
- What does COMPASS do?
- Who is COMPASS?
- How can I get in touch with COMPASS?
- When are meeting schedules and agendas posted?
- Is the COMPASS budget available online?
- How is COMPASS funded?
- How can I apply for a job with COMPASS?
- Where are RFPs posted?
- Where can I find information on public comment opportunities?
- Where can I find information on educational opportunities?
- Can someone from COMPASS speak to my group or club?
- What is a regional long-range transportation plan?
- What is a fiscal impact analysis?
- What is Communities in Motion?
- How is our population growing?
- How can I learn about, and be more involved in, planning issues in my community?
- What kind of transportation does COMPASS plan for?
- Has anyone thought about a train/light rail?
- Has anyone thought about a southern bypass around Boise?
- Has anyone thought about an interchange at Interstate 84 and Five Mile Road?
- Has anyone thought about another bridge over the Boise River?
- How is transportation funded?
- What is COMPASS' role in transportation funding?
- How does COMPASS fund projects to implement Communities in Motion?
- What is a Communities in Motion Implementation Grant?
- How can I apply for funding through COMPASS? How do I know if my agency is eligible to apply?
- Why is transportation funding such a big deal?
- What is the Regional Transportation Improvement Program (TIP)?
About COMPASS
The Community Planning Association of Southwest Idaho (COMPASS) is the forum for regional collaboration in southwest Idaho that helps maintain a healthy and economically vibrant region, offering people choices in how and where they live, work, play, and travel.
COMPASS serves the region through four primary roles: planner, facilitator, expert, and implementer. In these roles, COMPASS develops multifaceted transportation and other plans for the region, brings stakeholders together, serves as a regional source of data and technical expertise, and secures resources to meet regional needs.
COMPASS also serves as the metropolitan planning organization (MPO) for Ada and Canyon Counties, and as such, develops the regional long-range transportation plan (Communities in Motion) and the Regional Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) for the two-county area.
You can learn more about COMPASS at www.compassidaho.org/about.htm.
COMPASS is a voluntary, member-based organization governed by a Board of Directors who represent COMPASS member agencies — primarily of local units of government. COMPASS serves as a forum for local members to collectively make decisions addressing regional transportation, planning, growth, and other issues. The COMPASS Board is comprised mainly of local elected officials, such as mayors, city councilmembers, and county and highway district commissioners. Each member agency has a voice in the decision-making process.
For general information, call 208/855-2558 or email info@compassidaho.org.
A list of staff, along with individual contact information, is available on the COMPASS staff web page.
Archived and current Board meeting schedules and agendas and committee and workgroup meeting information are available on our website.
Yes, the COMPASS Unified Planning Work Program and Budget, as well as annual financial statements, are available on the Budget and Financial Reports page.
COMPASS is funded through a combination of local membership dues, federal transportation grants, revenue from special projects for managing contracts, and other revenues, such as map sales. Membership dues typically account for approximately 30% of the overall COMPASS budget.
Visit the Jobs and Contracts page to view current job openings.
Requests for proposals, statements of qualifications, and bids are posted to the Jobs and Contracts page.
COMPASS solicits feedback on specific plans and projects at various times during planning processes. During these times, public comment opportunities are highlighted on the COMPASS home page under “Hot Topics,” and on the What’s New and Comments and Questions pages, with links to more information.
COMPASS also welcomes your comments and questions at any time. Send comments and questions to info@compassidaho.org or 208/475-2229.
All public events, including educational events, are posted on the Public Events page.
Specific information about the annual COMPASS education series (presentations by regional and national experts on locally important topics) is linked from the Public Events page by year (e.g., 2017 Education Series).
Near-term events are also featured on the COMPASS home page under “Hot Topics.”
Yes! COMPASS staff are available to speak to your group or club on a variety of topics, including:
- Regional demographics and forecasted growth
- Long-term transportation plans and planning
- Transportation funding
- More!
Email info@compassidaho.org or call 208/475-2229 to request a speaker. COMPASS will endeavor to accommodate your request, but do note that speaking engagements are subject to staff availability.