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ITD seeks $10M spending authority for aeronautics grants, warns of upcoming airplane engine costs
Summary
Director Scott Stokes told JFAC the department wants $10 million in spending authority for community airport grants and equipment, noting about $4 million in interest is available and that upcoming aircraft engine replacements could cost about $800,000 each.
Idaho Transportation Department officials asked the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee to approve a $10 million governor's initiative for aeronautics grants and equipment, primarily to support community airports and necessary aircraft maintenance.
Senator Hart asked for the aviation fuel‑tax rates. Director Scott Stokes replied: "it's 6¢ and 7¢. I think the 6 is jet fuel, 7¢ is avgas, but I might have those reversed." The committee and department clarified that aviation fuel taxes and fees plus interest on the department's Strategic Initiatives Aeronautics Fund are the primary funding sources for community airport grants.
Stokes described the governor's initiative request as mostly existing cash the department holds: "The money is available. Again, about 60% is receipts above appropriation from the past few years. The other part is interest. The cash is in our account," he said. He told the committee that roughly $4,000,000 has been generated from interest on the Strategic Initiatives Aeronautics Fund and that the remainder of the request would come from unappropriated aviation fuel tax receipts.
Stokes also warned of upcoming, high‑cost repairs to ITD's aircraft fleet: "Engine replacement, in the next 3 years. They're about $800,000 apiece. And so, we'll either have to do some repairs to that airplane or replace it. And so, that's, that's the equipment piece of it." He added that some maintenance facility repairs are anticipated as part of the equipment request.
Why it matters: State support for community and general‑aviation airports preserves local connectivity, supports emergency services and helps leverage federal grants. The department said the request would operate like previous community airport grant programs and noted that it typically reports grant delivery to the Legislature.
Ending: ITD told the committee it will operate the program similar to prior airport grants, reporting completion and delivery, and said it can provide more detailed ROI information and grant lists if the committee requests it.
