Committee reviews POST budget and training pipeline as agency seeks staff and modernization funding

The Joint Finance and Appropriations Committee reviewed the budget and operations of the Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) division on Feb. 12, focusing on revenue trends, training capacity and a request to convert a part-time records specialist into a full-time role.

Noah Peterson, budget policy analyst, told members that POST is largely supported by dedicated revenues (fines, filing and educational fees, dormitory and facility fees, and a recent liquor‑fund transfer) and that the fund has required periodic one-time general fund transfers in recent years to cover costs. The liquor‑fund transfer created by House Bill 469 (2022) began contributing 1.5% of annual liquor revenue to POST, Peterson said.

Why it matters: POST certifies and oversees basic and in‑service training for Idaho law enforcement. Lawmakers said sustained, predictable funding is needed to support training capacity and regional access.

Key items discussed - Funding and revenue: Peterson outlined multiple dedicated revenue streams and said POST recently received liquor‑fund transfers ($620,000 in FY2023 and $804,300 in FY2024). He told the committee that POST has spent 79–98% of appropriations in recent years and that COVID and inflation led to elevated costs that prompted one‑time general fund assistance. - Collections on training agreements: Brad Johnson, POST administrator, said students sign two‑year agreements when they attend academy training. If they leave the profession within that period, they are required to repay training costs; POST now sends unpaid obligations to a collections agency, which has increased miscellaneous revenue collections. Johnson said a patrol academy tuition is roughly $12,000 (example figure provided as the current patrol‑academy apportionment), and that other programs vary by length and cost. - Staffing and conversion request: POST requested converting a current part‑time technical records specialist to a 0.33 FTP permanent position ($20,800) to reduce certification processing times that have increased during peak periods (Peterson). Peterson said certification turnaround time increased from 2–4 weeks to as long as 3–6 months at peak. - Replacement items: Requests include replacement of a 2001 15‑passenger van and a half‑ton pickup (vehicle ages and miles provided) and $61,600 in IT replacements recommended by OITS (laptops, desktops, monitors). - Training delivery and future planning: Johnson described a post council working group convened to develop a strategic plan for basic training delivery across the state, including potential expansion of college and regional training sites. The group expects to present a plan within about a year.

Operational context POST provides certification and decertification, basic and continuing education, and regional coordination across multiple delivery partners, including agency-based and college programs. Johnson described POST’s broader mission beyond the Meridian academy and noted the academy is accredited by the International Association of Directors of Law Enforcement Standards and Training.

Committee follow-up Members asked for updated tuition and program‑cost details, and for a more complete map of where training occurs statewide (agency academies, college programs, POST academy). POST agreed to supply updated tuition figures and to coordinate with the working group on longer‑term training-site planning.

Ending note Johnson thanked the committee for past assistance and said POST will continue work with the council and working group to produce a longer‑term plan for Idaho basic training.