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Idaho Public Television requests $300,000 for aging broadcast systems; committee presses for purchase plan
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Summary
Idaho Public Television asked JFAC for $300,000 to replace end‑of‑life automation and server equipment used for broadcasting and emergency alerts, and for a vehicle replacement. Committee members asked for an itemized plan and raised concerns about procurement caps and separation of state and private funding.
Idaho Public Television told the Joint Finance & Appropriations Committee on Jan. 15 that it needs a one‑time $300,000 appropriation — supported in the governor’s recommendation — to replace core broadcast automation and server systems, and it also sought funding to replace a truck used for mountaintop maintenance and emergency work.
Jared Tatro of the Legislative Services Office described two replacement requests: (1) a capital purchase to replace a heavy‑duty pickup used in North Idaho fieldwork, and (2) $300,000 for network operations center equipment. General Manager Jeff Tucker said the $300,000 is primarily a replacement investment — Windows‑based servers, automation software, routing and playback devices that are currently out of date and difficult to patch.
"Our Windows servers are about 4 years out of date, and that's not a good thing," Tucker said, describing the system as a proprietary automation platform made up of servers and control devices that run recording, playback and routing for IPTV’s five channels.
Committee members questioned the truck funding because budget‑development caps set replacement rates below the vendor price for a heavy‑duty diesel pickup. Senator Cook said finding a suitable heavy‑duty truck at the standard replacement rate would be difficult. Tucker said the station would auction the old vehicle and try to manage general‑fund allotments to make up any difference if the committee approved a partial appropriation.
Representative Tanner pressed for clearer accounting that separates state‑funded infrastructure from private‑funded content production. Tucker described the distinction: the general fund covers infrastructure and emergency‑alert capability and pays for 14 FTEs that operate and maintain broadcast and transmission systems; the nonprofit side finances content production such as locally produced programming. He committed to providing a written plan and itemized list of the equipment and systems the $300,000 would replace.
No vote was taken; committee members asked IPTV to supply an itemized replacement plan in advance of final budget decisions.
