At the Ketchum Post Office, the increase in holiday shipping during this time of year is already resulting in long lines and frustrated customers, despite the efforts of dedicated staff. The Fourth Street location, established roughly 25 years ago, regularly serves hundreds of customers daily, primarily those taking advantage of the 6,000 post office boxes available within the building. Since Ketchum residents do not receive mail delivery at home, they rely on P.O. boxes at the Ketchum post office. To secure a box, customers are required to pay an annual fee. Many post office patrons interviewed by the Express expressed dissatisfaction over the continuing rise in box fees, which seem unjustified in light of the lack of improvements in the consistently busy post office. The fees have consistently increased. The price for the smallest P.O. box has risen dramatically from $15 in 2011 to $75 in 2024. The second and third smallest sizes currently cost $97 and $151, respectively, having also increased significantly from 2011. In 2022, David Rupert, USPS communications director for the western U.S., mentioned that the situation in Ketchum is not unique; most towns in the mountain West rely solely on P.O. box delivery. For years, Ketchum city officials, along with Representatives Mike Simpson and Mike Crapo, have been advocating for an exemption from P.O. box fees for residents, but have not yet seen success. A records request filed with the city revealed attempts to communicate with the U.S. Postal Service and congressional representatives concerning this fee exemption dating back to October 2022. In an interview with the Express last fall, Ketchum Mayor Neil Bradshaw expressed hope for positive news soon, stating, “I remain hopeful that, working with the post office, we’ll get free post office box delivery.” Crapo’s press secretary, Marissa Morrison, confirmed that the senator’s office is in ongoing discussions with the U.S. Postal Service and anticipates news by year’s end. Discussions currently focus on 'Group E exemptions' outlined in the U.S. Postal Service manual. These exemptions allow for free P.O. boxes if mail delivery is unavailable. Over the years, residents and local business owners have sought clarification on why Ketchum does not qualify for this exemption. Rupert and former Ketchum Postmaster John McDonald have indicated that Ketchum's residents are excluded from the exemption because the city opted out of home delivery in a town meeting in 1998. However, the Express found no records of such a vote in its archives, and city staff could not identify any record confirming a decision barring mail delivery. The most recent initiative for fee exemptions began on October 17, 2022, with a letter to Rep. Simpson requesting assistance with the rising costs of post office box fees, which have tripled in seven years without any accompanying improvement in service. On December 22, 2022, Ketchum sent a formal letter to the Postal Regulatory Commission seeking a fee exemption. This request was assigned to case 46532180, but was rejected on February 8, 2023, referencing the 1998 meetings. In response, City Administrator Jade Riley dispatched a rebuttal on February 27, asking for a reconsideration of the denial. Following a lack of response, a second letter was sent on April 28. In May, the city learned from Simpson’s office that discussions with the USPS were ongoing but had yet to yield results. On January 30, 2024, Councilwoman Amanda Breen had a conversation with Samantha Marshall, who manages constituent services at Crapo’s office. Mayor Bradshaw also conveyed that he had communicated with Simpson's office and heard that the USPS was reviewing the issue. Bradshaw met virtually with Ketchum Postmaster Shannon Ferraro and Perkins on September 17, feeling encouraged by their response. Mayor Bradshaw articulated that this is a broader issue affecting many mountain towns, not just Ketchum, stating, “This is a mountain town thing, a whole U.S. thing.” The surge in online shopping and reliance on private carriers has exacerbated challenges faced by post offices nationwide. The Express previously noted the USPS processed around 12 billion pieces of mail and packages last year. Customers have voiced frustrations about long wait times, delayed or lost packages, and rising P.O. box fees amidst declining service quality. Residents and city officials concurred that the issue doesn’t stem from staff performance, with many praising their friendliness and dedication. Locals like Gary Hoffman have voiced concerns over systemic challenges stretching back decades, expressing disappointment over the lack of changes for the better. Others at the post office have echoed similar sentiments, emphasizing the burden of rising fees coupled with an inadequate level of service. USPS spokesperson Sherry Patterson indicated that local management is striving to hire more staff to improve service and advised customers on utilizing online services to reduce wait times. Finally, the broken sliding door at the post office was fixed after causing inconveniences for several months. Patterson apologized for the delays in repairs, reinforcing the Postal Service's commitment to its customers. One customer expressed a strong desire to see the fees eradicated, urging the City Council to follow through on their promise. Councilman Spencer Cordovano mentioned that while the council is committed to resolving the issue, their influence over the independent U.S. Postal Service is limited.
