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JFAC adds $1.68 million for community college enrollment adjustments, directs outcome-based funding proposal
Summary
The committee approved $1,679,800 in ongoing general fund enrollment workload adjustments for the College of Eastern Idaho, College of Southern Idaho and College of Western Idaho, held North Idaho College harmless and directed the State Board of Education to propose an outcome-based funding model by Dec. 31, 2025.
The Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee on March 7 approved an ongoing, targeted increase to community college budgets to reflect enrollment workload adjustments and directed the State Board of Education to develop an outcome-based funding model.
Motion: Representative Petzke moved to add $496,800 ongoing for the College of Eastern Idaho, $690,000 ongoing for the College of Southern Idaho and $493,000 ongoing for the College of Western Idaho, for a total FY2026 increase of $1,679,800 from the general fund. The motion said North Idaho College would be held harmless because its backward‑looking enrollment workload adjustment did not reflect the college’s recent positive enrollment trend and accreditation progress.
"We didn't want to hold them to that 3 percent cap," Petzke said, explaining the committee's intent to give the colleges the full benefit of earned enrollment workload adjustments and to avoid penalizing North Idaho College.
The motion was seconded by Senator Ward Engelking and passed in committee. (Committee vote totals recorded in the transcript: Senate 9 aye, 1 nay; House 10 aye, 0 nay; combined 19–1.)
In separate, agreed language, the committee directed the Office of the State Board of Education to develop an outcome-based funding model and return to JFAC with a proposal by Dec. 31, 2025, with implementation targeted for FY2028. Representative Petzke requested unanimous consent to adopt the language as shown on the screen; no member objected and the language was entered on the record.
Why it matters: The committee’s action increases near-term support for community college capacity while starting a process to explore a different funding formula built around outcomes rather than only enrollment-based measures.
Speakers: Kevin Campbell (budget and policy analyst, Legislative Services Office) presented the community college budget background; Representative Petzke moved the enrollment adjustments; Senator Ward Engelking seconded; Chairman Pickett had earlier stressed CTE and community college capacity needs in the committee's earlier briefing.
Next steps: The committee will send the recommendation to the floor with a due‑pass recommendation and the State Board of Education will return to JFAC with the outcome-based funding proposal by Dec. 31, 2025.
