Idaho parks seek program consolidation, higher seasonal pay and marina repairs at Heyburn State Park

The Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation asked the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee on Oct. 23 to approve a set of budget changes that would consolidate programs, increase seasonal wages and continue several capital projects, including replacement of aging marina infrastructure at Heyburn State Park.

The department told lawmakers it would merge its management services and park operations programs into a single program to simplify administration and accounting while preserving existing authority and fund tracking. "It really is a ministerial request," Director Susan Buxton said, adding the consolidation would not remove information about specific revenues or expenditures.

Budget analyst Janet Jessup said the agency operates 30 state parks, is authorized 190.8 full-time positions for FY2024–2025 and funds operations mostly with dedicated and federal sources rather than general fund dollars. She noted that capital outlay appropriations are treated as one-time project funding and that large appropriations made for deferred maintenance in prior years took multiple fiscal years to be expended.

Why it matters: the requests touch operations that residents use year-round (campgrounds, trails, marinas) and several items depend on…