Lawmakers, ITD spar over $9.6 million proposal to move District 4 headquarters from Shoshone to Twin Falls

The Idaho Transportation Department asked the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee on Thursday to reconsider a $9.6 million request to relocate its District 4 headquarters from Shoshone to Twin Falls, reopening a debate the Legislature and governor rejected last year.

Senator Cook, a JFAC member, told Director Scott Stokes and committee members that the relocation request is the same proposal the committee rejected in the prior session and said staff who work at the Shoshone site told him the building needs maintenance, not replacement. "We don't need a new building," Cook said, describing a recent site visit and pointing out water-stained ceiling tiles as evidence maintenance funding was needed.

Why it matters: The relocation would be a multi‑year, near‑term capital investment paid with state funds. Lawmakers raised questions about whether anticipated benefits — shorter commutes for some employees and easier public access — justify the cost and whether maintenance spending directed to the Shoshone site has been or will be completed.

Committee members pressed ITD for data and for follow-up. Cook cited a committee GIS analysis of the 71 employees assigned to District 4, saying the analysis found average drive times of about 29 minutes to Shoshone and 27 minutes to the proposed Twin Falls location, and median one‑way commute times of 37 minutes to Shoshone and 25 minutes to the new location — a 12‑minute median improvement. Cook said those gains did not, in his view, justify the relocation expense.

Director Scott Stokes, director of the Idaho Transportation Department, told the committee the department and its Transportation Board recommended reconsideration because the agency believes long‑term service to the public should be located closer to a growing population center. "We would like to be closer to the growing community of Twin Falls," Stokes said, adding that the department sees long‑term operational benefits for staff and vehicle staging in the area.

Representative Price asked whether the $1 million that the budget previously directed toward the Shoshone facility had been spent and whether repairs had been made. Stokes said work is under way: roofing materials and windows are in final design and will be bid this summer, and the repairs are intended to address viability and safety concerns.

Committee context: JFAC's budget working group reviewed a 2019 assessment and a January 2024 assessment of the Shoshone building before making recommendations last year; according to Cook, the Legislature, the House, the Senate and the governor voted to reject the relocation last year. Lawmakers repeatedly urged ITD to provide additional information about use patterns for the 71 employees, passenger or public access patterns, and whether the department could achieve service goals through local meeting space rather than a new headquarters.

Where things stand: No formal action was taken at the hearing. Committee members said they expect follow‑up information and emphasized the panel’s role as stewards of taxpayer money when evaluating large capital requests.