Commission on Aging seeks one-time ARPA drawdowns, requests small ongoing inflation increase

Colin McGurkin, a budget and policy analyst with the Legislative Services Office, told the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee on Feb. 24 that the Idaho Commission on Aging has relied on federal grants — including one-time American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) awards — to expand services and modernize meal and caregiver programs.

The commission is asking for a 3% ongoing general fund increase totaling $162,600 for FY2026, and a one-time federal draw of $500,000 to pay final invoices and draw down remaining ARPA funds before the Sept. 30, 2025 expiration, McGurkin said.

Why it matters: The commission directs federal Older Americans Act funding and state Senior Services Act resources to six local Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) that deliver meals, transportation, caregiver support and adult protective services across Idaho. Committee members pressed agency leaders about which services are one-time ARPA-funded enhancements and which will require continued state support when ARPA funds end.

McGurkin summarized five years of funding and spending history, saying the commission expended about $16.7 million in…