Idaho Parks requests seasonal pay boost, program consolidation and funds for dock replacements at Heyburn State Park

The Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation asked the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee on Oct. 23 for targeted increases to seasonal pay and internal program consolidation while outlining one-time capital needs and ongoing operating cost pressures.

Department Director Susan Buxton told the committee the agency is proposing to raise seasonal pay from $12 to $15 per hour and to use dedicated funds to address pay compression among longer‑serving staff and managers. She said the department hires roughly 300 seasonal employees and more than 500 volunteers each year to operate 30 state parks and trail systems and that some park locations require higher wages to recruit staff.

The request also includes a ministerial consolidation of the Management Services and Park Operations programs into a single program for budgeting purposes; Buxton described the change as administrative and said it would “net to zero” in total appropriation while making it easier to manage operations and revenue/expenditure tracking.

Why it matters: Lawmakers pressed the agency on recruitment realities in resort and remote communities and on…