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Idaho Public Television seeks one-time funds for mountain truck and $300,000 for network operations replacement
Summary
Idaho Public Television (IPTV) asked the Joint Finance and Appropriation Committee for one-time money to replace a high-mileage service pickup used in North Idaho and $300,000 to replace aging, unsupported network operations equipment that runs statewide broadcast and emergency alert systems.
Idaho Public Television told the Joint Finance and Appropriation Committee on Jan. 15 that it needs one-time capital to replace a heavy-duty service pickup used for mountaintop maintenance and $300,000 to begin replacing end-of-life automation and server equipment that handles recording, playback, routing and statewide distribution of programming and emergency alerts.
Jeff Tucker, general manager of Idaho Public Television, told the committee the truck serves mountaintop sites in North Idaho, often in winter conditions. Jared Tatro of the Legislative Services Office said the budget development manual estimates replacement for a heavy-duty truck of this type at $45,000; IPTV requested $42,400 within a 3% cap on replacement-item totals. Tucker said if the older vehicle is auctioned the proceeds would be returned to the general fund and IPTV would try to apply internal allotment management to make up any shortfall.
Tucker described the $300,000 request as a replacement rather than an expansion. He said the existing automation and Windows-based servers are roughly four years out of date and are operating on an “island” without internet connectivity for safety; because they are unsupported and unpatchable the systems present maintenance and security challenges. “This is an automation system… a conglomeration of equipment that runs recording, playback, routing and switching,” Tucker said. He described the equipment as proprietary and typically available from a small set of vendors. The replacement is intended to work as part of a larger 10-year plan of integrated system upgrades.
Representative Tanner asked about the firewall between IPTV’s public/state-funded functions and its nonprofit Friends organization; Tucker said state-funded staff and equipment support emergency and broadcast infrastructure while the nonprofit pays for content production, and said IPTV would provide a plan showing how the $300,000 would be spent.
Committee members asked IPTV to provide an itemized plan for the $300,000 before the committee acts on the request. Tucker also noted the agency intends to send an old truck to auction if the replacement is approved.
Ending: The committee took the presentation for information and requested an itemized replacement plan for the $300,000 network/automation equipment prior to funding action.
