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JFAC accepts CEC report recommending targeted raises for troopers, nursing, IT and a $1.55 hourly increase option
Summary
The committee accepted the Change in Employee Compensation report, which recommends pay-schedule shifts, a $1.55-per-hour funding option, an 8% cap for troopers, and targeted IT and nursing increases.
Sen. Dan Forman, co-chair of the Change in Employee Compensation (CEC) committee, presented recommendations that JFAC accepted by unanimous consent.
Forman said the CEC recommends shifting the primary compensation schedule upward by an average of 3.2%, with exceptions for specific pay grades. The committee recommended shifting specialized schedules by an average of 3.2% for public safety, 3% for IT and engineering, and 3.5% for nursing and health care. The CEC recommended funding salary increases equal to $1.55 per hour per full-time position (FTP), with agency heads and institution presidents allowed flexibility in distribution. For nursing and health care positions, the committee recommended funding either $1.55 per hour per FTP or 3%, whichever is greater.
On law enforcement pay, the committee recommended a targeted increase for Idaho State Police troopers (pay grade L) to improve recruitment and retention, proposing funding up to but not exceeding an 8% increase. Forman and other members described low trooper manning in some districts as a public-safety concern, with one speaker saying a district was operating at roughly 50% of needed patrol staffing.
The committee recommended maintaining the current employee benefit package with no significant changes to plan design and proposed increasing appropriation levels for fiscal 2026 from 13,000 to 13,960 per FTP (as stated in the committee report).
Sen. Ward Engelking raised concerns about statewide vacancy and turnover, noting a cited 19% vacancy rate and pay ranges reportedly 25% below market for some classifications. Representative James Holsclaw (Holsclaw) and others thanked staff for their work and stressed balancing fiscal stewardship with competitive pay for employees.
Co-chair Horman asked unanimous consent to accept the CEC report; the committee granted it with no objections.
JFAC members said they will have fuller debate on compensation recommendations during the budget process; acceptance today was to receive the advisory committee's report.
