Finding housing in the City of McCall is a challenge that even the city’s highest-paid staffer cannot escape.
Last week the McCall City Council agreed to waive a law that requires City Manager Forest Atkinson to live within city limits. Atkinson, who started as city manager in November, requested the waiver to assist with his search to buy property.
“That would give me the flexibility to look in areas that are beyond city limits, but that are still, if you think about your day-to-day life, you still are part of the McCall community,” Atkinson said.
The waiver allows Atkinson to live as far as five miles outside of city limits. The extended zone includes areas south of Lake Fork and west into Adams County.
“I think it’s totally reasonable,” council member Lyle Nelson said of the request. “Under these conditions, that’s kind of creates the best outcome for both the city manager and for the council.”
Atkinson told Valley Lookout his request is tied to the availability and price of homes in McCall, not a personal preference to buy property that is more rural.
Zillow, an online real estate platform, currently shows about 50 homes and townhomes for sale in McCall. Prices range from $409,000 for a manufactured home in Jacob’s Manor to $4.7 million.
Atkinson, a former United States diplomat who was raised in McCall, earns $177,000 per year from his city manager salary. He is currently renting a property in the city.
Atkinson’s salary is about three times as much as the median income for McCall residents, according to U.S. Census Bureau data.
Waiver used once before
City law requires city managers to live within the city unless an exception is granted by the council. In 2008, a residency exception was granted to former City Manager Lindley Kirkpatrick so he could buy a home near Lake Fork.
City manager is the highest-ranking position in McCall’s city council-manager form of government.
The council-manager form of government was adopted by McCall in 1994. The city manager oversees all city employees and is responsible for administering the city’s budget, which for 2025 is $56.4 million.
Without donors like you, this story would not exist.
Make a donation of any size here
The city manager is supervised by the city council, which sets policy and serves as the city’s decision-making body.
McCall and Twin Falls are the only cities in Idaho that use the council-manager form of government.
