Idaho Liquor Division asks JFAC for store, IT and accessibility funding as turnover falls but sales slide

The Idaho State Liquor Division told the Joint Finance‑Appropriations Committee that it distributed about $118.3 million in FY2024 and is seeking a mix of ongoing and one‑time funding for store improvements, network security and accessibility upgrades.

The division presentation, delivered by Kellen McGurkin, budget and policy analyst with the Legislative Services Office, and Director Andrew Arulanandam, said FY2024 distributions were determined under Idaho law and included a 2% surcharge that produced about $6.7 million for the court services fund and a larger split that sent roughly $56.3 million to cities, counties and magistrate courts. The division reported $319.1 million in total sales for FY2024, with reported net income of about $116.6 million.

Why it matters: The Liquor Division is a revenue‑generating state agency whose net income and statutory distributions support courts, cities and the general fund. Requests for workplace pay adjustments, technology modernization and equipment affect the agency’s operations, the reliability of sales and the timing and…