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JFAC approves Department of Administration enhancements and $122.9 million in one-time public works projects from Permanent Building Fund
Summary
Lawmakers approved personnel additions for the Department of Administration and approved a package of one-time public works appropriations totaling $122.86 million from the Permanent Building Fund for projects including campus expansions, readiness-center utilities and deferred maintenance.
The Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee on March 12 approved requested enhancements for the Department of Administration and a package of Permanent Building Fund projects totaling approximately $122.9 million for FY2026.
Frances Lippitt summarized the Department of Administration requests, which included personnel to support the expanding group insurance plan, property values analysis in risk management, financial specialists for transaction support, a trailer for security, and funding for the governor’s housing stipend drawn from the Permanent Building Fund. The committee added three full-time positions and roughly $460,200 from dedicated funds to support these needs.
The committee also approved a slate of public works projects from the Permanent Building Fund that the division of public works presented, including:
- Expansion of the Department of Lands’ Ponderosa supervisory office ($6.5 million). - Utilities connections at the Army National Guard Readiness Center site in Bonneville County ($5.56 million). - Construction and land purchase for Idaho State Police District 2 facility ($5.525 million). - Labs at Boise State University’s Micron Center for Materials Research ($2.5 million). - A life sciences complex at Idaho State University ($14 million). - A joint military science and veterans assistance center at the University of Idaho ($8 million). - Restoration funding for statewide deferred maintenance and replacement items, with total replacement items exceeding $68 million.
Representative Petzke moved the public works motion, and the committee approved the package; the recorded committee totals reported 15 ayes, 3 nays, 2 absent/excused and the motion carried a due-pass recommendation.
Language accompanying the Permanent Building Fund appropriation requires the division of public works to report project status and gives the Permanent Building Fund Advisory Council authority to prioritize or reallocate project savings to other approved projects.
Why it matters: the projects address capital needs across campuses and state facilities, restore deferred maintenance authority, and fund targeted facility projects for public safety and higher education.
Next steps: the Permanent Building Fund language and appropriations will be included in the capital appropriation bill as the Legislature advances the budget.
