Idaho administration budget review highlights governor's housing stipend, insurance valuation gaps

Frances Lippett, a budget and policy analyst with Legislative Services, told the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee that the Department of Administration’s budget is funded largely by dedicated funds and that only about 10% comes from the general fund.

The department oversees public works, purchasing, group insurance and other centralized services for state agencies. Lippitt said the department’s dedicated fund balances—including investments—have ranged substantially over recent years and that the office manages continuously appropriated accounts such as the group insurance fund.

Why it matters: the committee heard two items flagged as potential near-term problems. First, the governor’s housing fund lacks a steady revenue stream and will be exhausted without additional appropriations. Second, the state’s risk-management program has found inconsistent or inaccurate property valuations across agencies that have led to some buildings being over-insured.

Lippitt said…