Lawmakers reopen debate over $9.6 million ITD District 4 relocation from Shoshone to Twin Falls

At a Joint Finance‑Appropriations Committee hearing, Idaho Transportation Department Director Scott Stokes defended a renewed $9.6 million request to relocate ITD District 4 headquarters from Shoshone to Twin Falls, while lawmakers questioned whether the move is justified given last year’s rejection of the proposal.

The relocation request was raised during budget discussion of the Transportation Services division. Senator Cindy Cook (Senator Cook) told the committee she had toured the Shoshone facility and said employees told her the building needed maintenance, not replacement. "We don't need a new building. We just need some maintenance money," Cook said, recounting a staff comment about visible water damage.

The issue matters because the request would move a state facility and ask Idaho taxpayers to fund a new headquarters. Cook reminded the committee that the JFAC working group, both chambers and the governor rejected the relocation last year and asked why the request was back.

Director Scott Stokes said the Transportation Board and ITD staff recommended reconsideration. "The primary motivation... is for where, for the state of Idaho, the long term service should be delivered from the District 4 area," Stokes said. He added the department believes long‑term service should be located "closer to where the public is" and to respond to a growing community in Twin Falls.

Cook cited ITD data about employees’ travel times. She said an analysis of 71 employees shows an average commute of 29 minutes to Shoshone and 27 minutes to the proposed Twin Falls location, and a median commute of 37 minutes to Shoshone and 25 minutes to Twin Falls — a 12‑minute median difference. "Do you feel 12 minutes of commute time is worth asking Idaho taxpayers for $9,600,000 to relocate that building?" Cook asked.

Stokes did not directly endorse the dollar figure as a legislative choice, but said the decision rests with the committee: "You do have our recommendation and where we would like to serve the public. I recognize that's a difficult decision." Representative Price asked whether at least $1 million previously earmarked for Shoshone repairs had been spent; Stokes said the department is "in progress" on roof and window replacements and expected installation this summer.

Committee members pressed on staff use and project travel patterns, noting many of the 71 employees primarily work at the office rather than travel to field projects. Cook said those facts undercut the commute argument for a costly relocation.

The committee did not take a formal vote at the hearing. The relocation will be considered as part of ongoing budget deliberations where lawmakers will weigh the department recommendation, the prior rejection last year, and the department’s repair plan for the existing Shoshone campus.

Ending: The committee will decide in subsequent budget action whether to approve funds for relocation, approve additional Shoshone repairs, or maintain the prior decision rejecting the move.