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JFAC adds $666,500 to Commission on Aging budget, including $500,000 ARPA drawdown
Summary
The Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee approved $666,500 in additions to the Commission on Aging’s FY2026 budget, including a $500,000 one-time federal draw to cover expiring ARPA grant invoices, an ongoing $162,600 general-fund increase to address inflation, and $3,900 for IT replacement.
The Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee approved an additional $666,500 for the Idaho Commission on Aging’s fiscal year 2026 budget during its meeting, including a $500,000 one-time federal appropriation intended to draw down remaining ARPA grant funds that expire Sept. 30, 2025.
The enhancements approved include three items: a $500,000 one-time federal appropriation to cover final invoices tied to expiring American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) grants; an ongoing $162,600 general-fund increase to address inflationary pressures; and a $3,900 one-time general-fund appropriation to replace two laptops and two docking stations per the state Office of Information Technology recommendation.
The agency told the committee the $500,000 federal drawdown would direct $450,000 of the funds to local area agencies on aging (AAAs) to cover final invoices for programs including Older Idaho and supportive services, meal programs, modernization at contracted senior centers, caregiver assistance, adult protective services and a pilot to expand the public-health workforce. The commission said those ARPA-funded projects are one-time in nature and would not create ongoing obligations after the grants expire.
The ongoing $162,600 general-fund increase would pay a 3% increase in trustee/benefit payments to local AAAs, a total of $155,000, described as intended to help cover higher labor, insurance, fuel and service costs in local planning and service areas. The remaining $7,600 would fund a 2% increase in operating expenditures for the Commission on Aging’s central office for training materials and travel to audit and train programs statewide.
The $3,900 one-time general-fund appropriation would replace agency laptops on a four-year cycle as recommended by ITS.
Budget analyst Kellen McGurkin of Legislative Services outlined the requests for the committee. A motion to add $500,000 in federal funds, $162,600 in the general fund and $3,900 in one-time general funds — for a total of $666,500 — was made on the floor and seconded. The committee approved the motion; on the floor the Senate vote was 9 ayes, 1 nay and the House vote was unanimous 10 ayes, for a combined tally reported as 19 ayes and 1 nay. The committee directed the appropriation to proceed as a bill with a do-pass recommendation.
No amendments were recorded during the discussion. Committee members did not request additional reporting requirements or conditions tied to the funding during the recorded remarks.
The appropriation will move forward for further legislative action as part of the FY2026 budget process.
