Idaho Liquor Division asks JFAC for store, IT and accessibility funding amid high turnover

The Idaho State Liquor Division told the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee on a presentation that its FY2024 distributions totaled $118.3 million and it is requesting a package of ongoing and one-time dedicated funds for store upgrades, information-technology modernization and website accessibility.

The request is part of a broader budget presentation by Kellen McGurkin, a budget and policy analyst with the Legislative Services Office, and by Director Andrew Arulanandam. McGurkin told the committee that FY2024 total sales were about $319.1 million and reported net income — the portion available to return to the state after operating costs — was $116.6 million, while total distributions were $118.3 million. He said accounting adjustments explain the roughly $1.6 million difference between net income and distributions.

The liquor division outlined a series of FY2026 requests that include: an ongoing $57,400 increase to raise the hourly rate for temporary retail staff from $15.00 to $15.45; an ongoing $72,000 request to cover pallet shrink-wrap costs tied to a new freight contract; a one-time $200,000 request to buy 70 network firewalls and 70 network switches for stores; a one-time $980,300 request for retail store replacement items (shelving, lighting, flooring, signage and similar); and a one-time $235,000…