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JFAC approves $666,500 for Commission on Aging including $500,000 ARPA drawdown
Summary
The Joint Finance‑Appropriations Committee approved $666,500 in new funding for Idaho's Commission on Aging, including a one‑time $500,000 federal drawdown of expiring ARPA grant funds, an ongoing $166,500 general‑fund increase for inflation and benefits, and $3,900 for IT hardware replacement.
At a meeting of the Joint Finance‑Appropriations Committee, members voted to approve $666,500 in additional funding for the Idaho Commission on Aging, including a one‑time $500,000 federal appropriation to draw down remaining ARPA grant funds and $166,500 in ongoing general‑fund support to cover inflationary increases and staff operating costs.
The Commission on Aging implements the federal Older Americans Act and Idaho’s Senior Services Act and provides planning, coordination and funding for in‑home and community‑based services for older Idahoans. Committee analyst Kellen McGurkin described the request, saying, “I am Kellen McGurkin, a budget analyst with legislative services,” and outlining the three enhancement requests before the committee.
The largest item is a $500,000 one‑time federal appropriation intended to pay final invoices and draw down remaining American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) grant funds before access to that funding expires on Sept. 30, 2025. Of that $500,000, $450,000 is slated for direct payments to local area agencies on aging to cover final invoices for programs including older Idaho supportive services, meal programs, modernization projects at contracted senior centers, caregiver assistance, adult protective services and a pilot to expand the public‑health workforce. The agency told the committee these uses are one‑time and would not create ongoing obligations when ARPA funds expire.
The committee also approved an ongoing general‑fund increase of $166,500 to address inflationary pressures: $155,000 to provide a 3% increase in trustee/benefit payments to local area agencies on aging (intended to offset rising labor, insurance, fuel and service costs) and $7,600 to cover a 2% increase in central commission operating expenditures for training materials and travel. Finally, the committee approved a one‑time $3,900 general‑fund appropriation to replace two laptops and docking stations per the Office of Information Technology recommendation.
Senator Ward Engelking moved the package and Representative Petske seconded. The motion carried with a committee tally of 19 ayes and 1 nay; the committee announced the item will go forward with a do‑pass recommendation.
The action will be incorporated into a bill moving through the legislature; committee members did not attach additional conditions beyond the appropriation language and the ARPA deadline noted by staff.
