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Public Utilities Commission seeks small commissioner pay increase and one‑time equipment replacements
Summary
The Idaho Public Utilities Commission presented its budget overview and a governor‑recommended 5% salary increase for commissioners plus one‑time funding for a pipeline safety truck and IT replacements; the commission described its fee‑funded operations and document management staffing.
Kellen McGurkin, a budget and policy analyst, briefed the Joint Finance‑Appropriations Committee on the Idaho Public Utilities Commission’s FY2026 request and the governor’s recommendations.
Eric Anderson, president of the PUC, said the commission is funded by assessments on regulated utilities and does not use general fund dollars. "PUC annually sets assessments, as guided by statute ... those amounts are then paid out twice a year to the commission," the analyst said.
Why it matters: the PUC exercises legislative, judicial and executive authority for regulation of investor‑owned utilities in Idaho and approves major infrastructure projects. Its operating fund is maintained by special regulatory fees assessed to utilities.
Key budget items and context
- Commissioner compensation: The commission requested a salary increase for the three commissioners. Salaries for commissioners are set in statute (cited during the presentation as Idaho Code section 61‑215). The governor recommended a 5% increase, which the analyst said would cost about $23,100 in total; any change to commissioner pay requires a statutory modification.
- One‑time equipment and IT replacements: The PUC requested $114,100 one‑time from its dedicated fund for replacements recommended by the Office of Information Technology Services. That request includes $40,500 to replace a pipeline‑safety truck and $73,600 for laptops, network switches, licensing and other IT hardware and software maintenance.
- Staffing and document management: The commission reported 48 authorized full‑time positions (including three commissioners) and a five‑year filled‑FTE rate of 84% with four current vacancies. McGurkin told the committee that four administrative staff handle document management and public records filings.
Operations and oversight
Commissioner Anderson said PUC staff also engage in regional discussions on transmission and market structure, including western regional issues and credit‑rating concerns for utilities. He encouraged members to contact PUC policy staff with questions about utility regulation and filings.
Next steps
Committee members did not take votes in the hearing; the panel will consider the commission’s requests in upcoming budget deliberations.
