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State compensation panel recommends raises, targeted trooper pay bump; JFAC accepts CEC report
Summary
JFAC accepted the Change in Employee Compensation (CEC) committee report recommending across‑the‑board shifts to salary schedules, targeted increases for public safety, IT and nursing, and a $1.55-per-hour funding recommendation per full-time position for state employees.
The Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee accepted, by unanimous consent, the Change in Employee Compensation (CEC) committee’s recommendations to adjust state pay schedules and fund targeted increases for priority occupations.
Senator Dan Forman, cochair of the CEC committee, told JFAC the panel recommends shifting the primary compensation schedule upward by an average of 3.2% (with the minimum for pay grade D to remain $7.25 per hour) and moving specialized schedules upward by an average of 3.2% for public safety, 3% for IT and engineering, and 3.5% for nursing and health care. The committee recommended the Legislature fund a general salary increase of $1.55 per hour per full-time position (FTP), with flexibility for agency heads and institution presidents to distribute the funds.
Forman said the committee also identified targeted increases: up to an 8% increase for Idaho State Police troopers (pay grade L) “in the interest of public safety,” a 4.5% recommended increase for employees on the IT and engineering schedule, and for nursing and health‑care positions the committee recommended the greater of $1.55 per hour per FTP or 3%.
James Holdsclaw, representing District 20, praised staff work and emphasized balancing stewardship of public funds with recognition of employees. Senator Ward Engelking raised concerns that employees earning about $64,000 would not receive a 5% raise and warned of a 19% state vacancy/turnover figure; Engelking said she was “very concerned” that the recommendations may not sufficiently address market gaps. Representative Tanner asked for details about the trooper increase; Forman described trooper staffing as “critically low” in some districts and said pay — not morale or work environment — is the main driver of departures.
The motion to accept the CEC report was offered by Co Chair Harmon through unanimous consent, seconded on the floor, and recorded with no objections.
Votes at a glance: Motion — “I ask unanimous consent to accept the report of the change in employee compensation.” Mover: Co Chair Harmon. Outcome: approved by unanimous consent; no roll‑call recorded.
