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Idaho Geological Survey requests continued funding to make database manager permanent; position generates federal match
Summary
The Idaho Geological Survey asked lawmakers to fund a permanent portion of a database manager position that has been grant funded; director said the post supports essential geologic data systems, can leverage federal matching (2:1) and that losing the role would be 'catastrophic' for the agency.
The Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee heard a request from the Idaho Geological Survey (IGS) for additional general fund support to convert a partially grant-funded database manager role into a continuing position.
Kevin Campbell, the Legislative Services Office analyst presenting the agency summary, said IGS employs a database manager to oversee Idaho’s geologic information systems and that the position had been supported by grants in the past. IGS sought 0.13 FTE general fund support in FY2026 after receiving 0.19 FTE in FY2025, Campbell said.
Claudio (Claudio) Berti, state geologist and IGS director, told the committee the position has historically been grant-funded and “the work that this position does is fundamental to our agency.” He explained that the position enables the agency to generate income by matching federal grants two to one and that losing the position would threaten the survey’s ability to preserve and share critical geologic data.
Berti described IGS activities including statewide geologic mapping, maintaining the Idaho Seismic Network (including a seismometer purchased for earthquake monitoring), and compiling mineral-resource data for public access. He said grant support has been used previously—examples included abandoned mine lands funding routed through the Department of Lands—to provide state match for federal grants, and he cautioned that those funding sources are not guaranteed.
Representative Price asked whether grant funding might continue; Berti said grants have supported the position but that relying on grants leaves operations precarious and that making the position permanent would stabilize the agency’s ability to maintain geologic data systems and to leverage federal matching funds.
Ending
Berti asked for continued support for the Idaho Geological Survey to preserve and share geologic data that he said underpin infrastructure planning, resource development and hazard assessment. Committee members did not record votes during this hearing and requested no immediate data follow-ups in the session transcript.
