Parks and Recreation seeks program consolidation, higher seasonal pay and marina repairs at Heyburn State Park

The Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation told the Joint Finance Committee that it plans to consolidate two internal programs, raise seasonal wages and use dedicated funds for capital projects including marina dock replacement at Heyburn State Park on Lake Coeur d'Alene.

The requested consolidation would merge management services and park operations into a single budgeted program, agency officials said, a change the department says is administrative and would “net to zero” in total appropriation. Janet Jessup, budget and policy analyst with Legislative Services, told the committee the agency is currently allocated 190.8 full-time positions and that capital projects are typically handled through a separate, one-time capital program.

Director Susan Buxton said the department is proposing targeted increases for seasonal employees and for ranger pay to address internal compression and recruitment problems. “When you have someone you're trying to hire as a ranger who has a lot of experience and you…