JFAC approves Parks and Recreation budget adjustments, consolidates programs and authorizes transfers to capital development

The Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee approved additional spending and program consolidation for the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation on March 11, adopting a motion that adds staff, project funding and authorizing language to move monies between programs.

The committee voted to add five full-time equivalent positions and supplemental funding totaling $8,135,700 — described in committee action as $5,410,700 from dedicated funds and $2,725,000 from federal funds — to the department’s FY2026 budget. Committee analysts and the motion cited line items including $321,100 for park personnel, $210,000 for seasonal group positions, $195,000 for statewide operating costs, $309,100 to increase pay for targeted positions, $140,000 for an OHV-use campaign, $4,000,000 for improvements at Bear Lake State Park, $400,000 for improvements at Lake Cascade, $2,263,000 for replacement items and $197,500 for OITS hardware. The motion also transferred $23,035,600 from the management services program to the park operations program to consolidate the two programs.

Janet Jessup, budget and policy analyst with Legislative Services, summarized the department’s role and the budget actions the committee was considering. Senator Hart moved the main funding motion; Representative Manwaring seconded it. During consideration, Representative Furness asked for clarification about a $200,000 reduction in replacement-item spending. Representative Metairie, speaking for the work group, said the committee reduced the replacement-items request because the department had retained funds available for future replacement needs.

The committee approved the motion by voice and roll-call counts reported in committee: 17 ayes, 3 nays, 0 absent. After the vote, the committee adopted language on the screen that creates an exemption allowing the consolidated parks operations program to transfer monies to the capital development/capital operations program for the purpose of grants for capital projects.

Discussion vs. action: The committee’s approval included both the formal appropriations action (the motion and roll-call vote) and enactment of enabling language. The transcript records the appropriation motion and the vote as the formal action; questions from members (for example on replacement items) were recorded as discussion. The language adopted was described by the analyst as allowing transfers “for the purpose of grants to their capital operations program” and was accepted by unanimous consent.

What happens next: Because the committee approved the package with a “do pass” recommendation, the changes and the enabling language will be incorporated in the committee’s bill recommendation to the Legislature.