ITD asks JFAC for expanded reappropriation authority and large transfers to finish multi-year road projects

The Idaho Transportation Department told the Joint Finance‑Appropriations Committee at a budget hearing that it needs expanded reappropriation authority, one‑time general‑fund transfers and ongoing federal appropriations to complete multi‑year construction commitments.

Department officials said the request is driven by a large volume of multiyear contracts and a limit the Legislature placed on how much prior‑year appropriation the department can carry forward. Dave Tolman, ITD chief administrative officer, told the committee, “As of the end of FY 24, our obligated unspent construction program was a little over $600,000,000 across multiple funding sources.”

Why it matters: ITD said the current $250,000,000 reappropriation cap can leave the department short of spending authority in years when large projects reach stages that trigger large contractor payments. Director Scott Stokes said the problem is not that money is missing from agency bank accounts but that “we came dangerously close to this last fiscal year … of running out of spending authority,” forcing short‑term deferrals of some payments.

Requested items and amounts: Brooke…