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JFAC approves $8.14 million in additions, 5 FTE for Department of Parks and Recreation
Summary
The Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee approved $8,135,700 in additional spending for the Department of Parks and Recreation for fiscal 2026, including funding for park improvements and personnel; the committee also approved language allowing transfers from a consolidated parks program to capital development grants.
The Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee on March 11 approved additional spending authority and five full-time equivalent positions for the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation for fiscal 2026.
The committee voted to add $5,410,700 from dedicated funds and $2,725,000 from federal funds, for a total of $8,135,700, and five FTE. The motion, moved by Senator Hart and seconded by Representative Manwaring, itemized allocations including $321,100 for park personnel, $210,000 for seasonal group positions, $195,000 for statewide operating costs, $309,100 to increase pay for targeted positions, $140,000 for an OHV public-information campaign, $4,000,000 for improvements at Bear Lake State Park, $400,000 for improvements at Lake Cascade and $2,263,000 for replacement items. The motion also transferred $23,035,600 from the management services program to the park operations program to consolidate those programs and included $197,500 for information-technology hardware.
Representative Furness asked about a $200,000 decrease in replacement items. Committee members said retained fund balances in the agency’s accounts were expected to cover some replacement needs in future years; the working group reduced the replacement-items line on that basis.
Senators and representatives voted across both chambers. The committee recorded 17 ayes and 3 nays (senate: 8 ayes, 2 nays; house: 9 ayes, 1 nay). The majority voted to give the measure a do-pass recommendation.
After the vote, the committee approved language, by unanimous consent at Senator Hart’s request, that would allow the agency to transfer monies from the consolidated parks operations program to the capital development (capital operations) program for the purpose of awarding grants.
The approvals consolidate parts of the parks budget and add both specified capital projects and personnel funding. The committee did not set specific implementation dates in the motion; the appropriation and the transfer exemption were adopted as committee language and will proceed with the bill as reported out of JFAC.
