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Public Utilities Commission seeks small salary increase for commissioners, replacement truck and OIT‑recommended hardware
Summary
The Idaho Public Utilities Commission requested a 5% salary increase for three commissioners (statute‑fixed pay) and $114,100 one‑time dedicated funds for a pipeline safety truck and OIT‑recommended hardware and licensing, citing steady appropriations funded by assessments on regulated utilities.
The Idaho Public Utilities Commission presented its FY2026 budget request to the Joint Finance‑Appropriations Committee on Oct. 24, asking JFAC to consider a 5% increase in the salaries of its three commissioners (a statutory change) and one‑time dedicated funding for equipment replacements recommended by the Office of Information Technology Services.
Kellen McGurkin, budget and policy analyst with Legislative Services, described the agency’s funding model: the PUC is funded primarily by assessments on regulated utilities rather than the General Fund, and the commission typically maintains an ending fund balance target of roughly 60 percent of total appropriation to cover the biannual assessment cycle and timing risks. McGurkin said the agency averaged 84% filled FTP over five years and spent about 75% of FY2024 appropriations on personnel costs.
The commission requested a $23,100 ongoing appropriation to cover a 5% increase in commissioner pay as recommended by the governor; commissioner salaries are established in Idaho Code section 61‑215 and would require a statutory change if the Legislature adjusts them. The governor’s recommendation was discretionary and would be subject to JFAC’s decision.
PUC also requested $114,100 in one‑time dedicated funds, including $40,500 for a pipeline safety truck and $73,600 for OITS‑recommended hardware and licensing. McGurkin provided a breakdown of those OITS items: replacement of 14 laptops and one desktop (about $23,700), replacement of five network switches ($40,000), Laserfiche document‑management licenses ($5,500), two wireless access points ($2,400) and hardware maintenance ($2,000).
Commission President Eric Anderson, who attended with Executive Director Maria Barrett Riley, described the commission’s ongoing engagement in regional energy and transmission discussions and said the PUC routinely monitors utility viability and consumer protection as utilities consider regional transmission and market arrangements. Anderson said the commission maintains archived records dating to 1913 and has four staff dedicated to document management.
Committee members asked about document scanning and retention; Anderson said records are consolidated and stored securely and that modern electronic systems have replaced microfiche. There were no votes during the presentation; the requests will be considered as part of the JFAC budgeting process.
