Idaho Department of Administration requests general-fund support as governor’s housing stipend nears depletion

Frances Lippett, a budget and policy analyst with Legislative Services, told the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee that the Department of Administration’s governor’s housing fund currently pays a monthly housing stipend to the governor and has “no consistent source of revenue.” Lippett said the stipend is currently set at $4,551 per month and that, without additional funding, the governor’s housing fund will be depleted in 2026.

The analyst said the department requested a $30,000 appropriation from the general fund for fiscal 2025 that the Legislature did not approve and said the department was requesting a separate appropriation for fiscal 2026. During committee discussion two different FY2026 figures appear in the record (the analyst referred to $60,600 in one presentation and a later line in the transcript records $660,600); committee members asked the department to clarify and provide the official FY2026 request in writing.

Why it matters: the governor’s housing allowance is continuously appropriated under law and the housing fund is intended to pay a monthly stipend and support acquisition, construction and maintenance of an official residence. Absent a stable revenue source, committee staff and department officials warned the fund’s balance will be exhausted unless the Legislature acts.

Lippett reviewed the Department of Administration’s larger budget picture: the department houses public works, purchasing, document services, risk and insurance, and management services; about two-thirds of its appropriation comes from the administration and accounting services fund, which charges agencies for services. Lippett said the department is authorized 334 full-time equivalent positions (FTP) and has filled roughly 92% of that authorization over five years.

Director Steve Bailey, who appeared before the committee with division managers, told members the governor’s housing issue has a long history and is overseen by a Governor’s Housing Committee. Bailey said the committee met last summer and “the position of the committee at that time was just continue with the stipend until more substantive discussions could take place” about a mansion. He said property previously set aside for a residence remains under easement with the City of Boise and that the committee has discussed revisiting a mansion but “we haven't really gained any traction.”

The department also asked the committee to approve several ongoing and one-time staffing and equipment enhancements across divisions. Lippett outlined requests including additional positions in group insurance and risk management, funding to better audit the state’s insured property values, and modest one-time equipment purchases; the governor recommended the requested enhancements.

Ending: Committee members asked the department to provide follow-up materials: (1) a clear, written FY2026 request amount for the governor’s housing allowance appropriation; (2) the Governor’s Housing Committee’s latest report and history documents; and (3) a schedule for when the department will return with any more formal proposals on a residence. The committee did not take a vote on the item during the hearing.