Idaho Department of Administration budget review highlights governor's housing, insurance and staffing requests

The Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee reviewed the Department of Administration’s FY2026 budget on Feb. 17, 2025, hearing from Legislative Services budget analyst Frances Lippett and Department of Administration Director Steve Bailey about program funding, staffing needs and a dwindling governor’s residence fund.

The committee was told the department’s appropriation is drawn largely from dedicated funds paid by state agencies for services; roughly 10% comes from the general fund. Lippett said the department houses five budgeted programs and maintains the Capitol Mall, Chinden Campus and other state buildings under statutory authority in chapter 57, title 67 of Idaho Code. She said the department’s dedicated fund ending free balance has ranged from about $179.4 million to $1.4 billion over the past three years as the state used direct investments to fund capital projects and deferred maintenance.

Lippett outlined multiple specific requests for FY2026 and staffing pressures. She said the department is authorized 34 full-time equivalents (FTEs) and has filled 92% of those positions over the last five years; average personnel appropriations were about $10.4 million with 92% expended on personnel.

Why it matters: the Department of Administration provides centralized services—procurement, insurance, facilities maintenance and capital project management—that affect nearly every state agency. Funding choices and staffing levels shape turnover, procurement capacity and the state’s ability to maintain buildings and process insurance claims.

Key details from…