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Lawmakers revisit ITD proposal to relocate District 4 headquarters from Shoshone to Twin Falls
Summary
Idaho Transportation Department seeks $9.6 million to relocate District 4 from Shoshone to Twin Falls; legislators who opposed the move last year questioned the need, citing building repair plans and commute analysis presented during the hearing.
The Idaho Transportation Department’s proposal to relocate District 4 headquarters from Shoshone to Twin Falls returned to the Joint Finance‑Appropriations Committee, prompting debate from members who said the Legislature rejected the request last year.
ITD’s FY26 enhancement packet includes a $9.6 million line item for relocation and new facility work. Director Scott Stokes told the committee the department and the Transportation Board have reconsidered the long‑term best location for public service delivery and would prefer to be closer to the growing population in Twin Falls.
Senator Cook, who said he visited the Shoshone campus last year and reviewed two assessment reports (2019 and January 2024), told the committee that JFAC, both chambers of the Legislature and the governor voted last year to reject relocation. He criticized revisiting the request this year and questioned whether the $9.6 million would be justified by small commute‑time differences. Cook summarized his analysis of employees’ commutes, saying: “As we studied those 71 employees that actually work there, ... 29 minutes to Shoshone and 27 minutes to the new location. ... The median commute time is 37 minutes to Shoshone, and 25 minutes to the new location.” He framed the difference as insufficient to justify the requested capital expense.
Stokes said the recommendation reflects long‑range service planning rather than only the condition of the Shoshone building. He told the committee: “The primary motivation between the department’s ask for reconsideration is for where the long term service should be delivered from the District 4 area. ... It should be closer to where the public is for access to the public, to the services of the department, to respond to a growing community.”
Representative Price asked about a prior appropriation of at least $1 million directed at repairs to the Shoshone building; Stokes said repairs are in final design and will address roofing materials and windows, with installation planned for the summer. Other members pressed for breakdowns of the proposed $1.6 million design fee and the $8.0 million for site access and development cited in the request.
Ending: Committee members reiterated that JFAC and the Legislature had previously rejected the relocation and asked ITD to provide clearer justification and updated cost estimates before the committee considers the line item further.
