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ITD Seeks Authority to Spend Aviation Fund Balances; Committee Asks for ROI Details
Summary
Lawmakers pressed the Idaho Transportation Department about a governor-backed $10 million initiative to spend aviation fund balances on community airport grants and equipment, and asked for details about which airports and the expected return on investment.
The Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee on Wednesday pressed the Idaho Transportation Department for details about a governor-recommended $10 million request to provide airport grants and buy or repair aviation equipment.
Brooke Dupree, budget and policy analyst with the Legislative Services Office, described a governor’s recommendation that “$10,000,000 for a governor's initiative for grants and equipment” be added to the aeronautics program budget. Representative Jason Monks (questioning as Representative Horman in the transcript) asked the department for specific performance metrics and which airports or equipment would receive funds.
Scott Stokes, director of the Idaho Transportation Department, told the committee the requested spending authority would primarily finance community airport grants and equipment maintenance: “Any money that we can move forward to improve the community airports around the state, that's where we try.” He said much of the funding comes from aviation fuel tax receipts and interest earned in a strategic aeronautics account. Stokes said about $4 million has been generated from interest on a Strategic Initiatives Aeronautics Fund and an additional portion comes from aviation fuel tax receipts that are “not previously appropriated.”
Stokes also described an equipment need at the department: ITD operates a state airplane that will need an engine replacement in the next three years, at roughly $800,000 per engine, and the department may have to repair or replace that aircraft. He said smaller community airports benefit through grants for projects and that state funds often supplement federal aid by providing a portion of required local matches.
Committee members said they would like clearer ROI metrics and a list of intended airport projects before approving discretionary authority. Representative Horman asked whether the governor’s $10 million request was fully available as cash in the department account; Stokes said “the money is available” and that most of it comes from receipts above appropriation and interest.
Why it matters: The aviation fund is a dedicated user-fee fund; spending decisions affect many small community airports across Idaho, federal matching eligibility, and maintenance of state aviation assets.
No formal appropriation was recorded during the hearing; members requested follow-up reporting on project lists and performance measures.
