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JFAC approves $666,500 package for Commission on Aging, including $500,000 ARPA drawdown
Summary
The Joint Finance Appropriations Committee voted to add $500,000 in one-time federal funds, $162,600 in ongoing general funds and $3,900 one-time general funds to the Commission on Aging’s FY2026 budget to cover final ARPA invoices, inflationary trustee payments to local area agencies on aging and IT replacements.
The Joint Finance Appropriations Committee on an unspecified date voted to add a total of $666,500 to the Commission on Aging budget for fiscal year 2026, including a $500,000 one-time federal appropriation to draw down remaining ARPA grant funds, $162,600 in ongoing general funds to address inflationary cost pressures, and $3,900 in one‑time general funds for replacement IT hardware.
Kellen McGurkin, a budget analyst with Legislative Services, told the committee that “the first enhancement asked for a $500,000 one‑time appropriation of federal funds. This is to pay final invoices and draw down final remaining ARPA grant funds before access to that funding expires September thirtieth of 2025.”
The committee approved the package on a recorded vote. Senator Jenny Ward Englecain moved the motion; Representative Petske seconded. The committee clerk recorded 19 ayes and 1 nay, and the measure will go forward with a do‑pass recommendation.
Why it matters: The Commission on Aging administers services under the federal Older Americans Act and Idaho’s Senior Services Act and routes funding through a network of local area agencies on aging (AAAs). McGurkin said $450,000 of the one‑time federal request would be used for direct payments to local AAAs to cover final invoices for programs that include older‑Idaho supportive services, congregate and home‑delivered meal programs, modernization at contracted senior centers, caregiver assistance, adult protective services, and a pilot program to expand the public‑health workforce.
The $162,600 in ongoing general funds is intended to address inflationary cost increases. McGurkin said $155,000 of that amount would fund a 3% increase in trustee/benefit payments to local AAAs to help cover higher labor, insurance, fuel and service costs in each agency’s planning and service area; the remaining $7,600 would cover an approximate 2% increase in operating expenditures for the Commission on Aging’s central staff for items such as training materials and travel to review and monitor programs statewide. The $3,900 general fund request is a one‑time appropriation to replace two laptops and two docking stations on a four‑year replacement cycle, per ITS recommendation.
Discussion vs. action: The analyst presented the requests and members moved and voted on the full package. The committee did not amend the enhancements on the floor. The recorded vote sends the funding forward as a bill with a do‑pass recommendation.
Next steps: With the committee’s do‑pass recommendation, the budget adjustments will be incorporated into the committee’s bill package and proceed to the full legislative process.
