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ITD seeks authority to spend aviation fund receipts; governor recommended $10M for airport grants and equipment
Summary
ITD told JFAC that aviation fund receipts, interest and prior transfers support community airport grants and equipment needs; the department flagged likely high‑cost aircraft engine repairs and sought expenditure authority and reporting on community grant outcomes.
The Idaho Transportation Department told the Joint Finance‑Appropriations Committee that the state aeronautics fund receives revenue from aviation fuel taxes and related fees and that the department plans to use unobligated balances and interest to fund community airport grants and equipment needs.
Director Scott Stokes said the department’s aviation accounts include receipts from aviation fuel taxes and fees for the state fleet. He estimated the department had about $4 million generated from interest on the Strategic Initiatives Aeronautics Fund plus remaining aviation fuel tax receipts available for grants. The governor’s recommendation included up to $10 million for a governor’s initiative to provide grants and equipment to community airports.
Stokes told the committee the aeronautics request would fund community‑sponsored airport projects through a grant program similar to ITD’s existing airport aid program and noted the department has been reporting completion of the $32 million general‑fund strategic initiative previously provided to airports. He also described an equipment need: “We have an airplane where, we’re gonna have to make some very expensive repairs on it over the next few years. 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.”
Committee members asked for performance metrics and return‑on‑investment measures for grants and for clarification whether the $10 million request was spending authority for cash already collected. Stokes said most of those receipts and interest were on hand and that the department would use a standard grant process and report completions back to the Legislature.
Ending: Committee members requested clearer performance metrics and an itemized plan for which small airports and what types of equipment would be prioritized under a grants and equipment initiative.
