DFM presents governor’s 'keeping promises' executive budget to JFAC; ends with $227M projected FY26 balance

Division of Financial Management Administrator Laurie Wolf presented Governor Brad Little’s executive budget to the Joint Finance‑Appropriations Committee on Jan. 8, outlining a plan the administration described as a “keeping promises” budget that balances investments in education, infrastructure and natural resources with conservative revenue assumptions and larger reserve balances.

The nut graf: DFM recommended spending increases to education, workforce training and water and fire management while preserving a structurally balanced plan that leaves a projected FY26 ending general fund balance of about $227 million and directs funds into statutory stabilization accounts.

Wolf told the committee the administration used conservative revenue forecasting and left a planned FY25 ending balance of roughly $383 million with a FY26 total revenue projection near $6.2 billion. The presentation proposes transfers under statutory limits, including a $59 million transfer to the budget stabilization fund and a $50 million transfer to the public education stabilization fund; after those transfers, DFM estimates the state will hold a revert reserve of roughly $1.4 billion.

Key figures in the presentation include a recommended $151 million in total enhancements for FY26 (about $129 million ongoing), maintenance cost increases driven by employee benefit cost growth (per‑employee health/benefit assumptions rising from roughly $13,000 to $14,300,…