Idaho Department of Finance requests six technology‑focused examiners; governor recommends most

The Idaho Department of Finance on Tuesday asked the Joint Finance‑Appropriations Committee for six ongoing full‑time positions and one‑time capital outlay to strengthen IT‑focused examinations and fraud investigations.

The request, presented by legislative budget analyst Noah Peterson and explained in detail by Department Director Patty Perkins, would add six FTPs and $816,600 from state regulatory funds for fiscal year 2026, including new IT examiners, financial examiners, cybersecurity specialists and a forensic accountant, plus $52,600 in OITS‑recommended hardware for field work.

The request matters because the department said investigations of fraud — particularly schemes that target older Idahoans — increasingly involve technology and cryptocurrency flows that require specialized examination skills. Director Patty Perkins said the agency has been partnering with the Idaho State Police and other law enforcement to follow money rooted in fintech and crypto, and that existing investigative staff are small relative to rising workloads.

Noah Peterson, budget and policy analyst, outlined the enhancement package during the committee’s review. The six requested positions and notable details included: - One IT examiner for the Financial Institutions Bureau at $121,300 (salary grade P). - One additional financial examiner (non‑IT) for the Financial Institutions Bureau at $121,300 (salary grade P). - Two "financial investigator 3" positions to perform IT examinations (one focused on mortgage and credit services, the other on consumer services) at $82,500 each (salary grade M). - One securities bureau investigator specializing in cybersecurity at $82,500 (salary grade M). - One securities bureau examiner with forensic accounting specialty at $82,500 (salary grade M). - One‑time capital outlay of $52,600 recommended by the Office of Information Technology Services (about $42,000 for laptops, $6,100 for docking stations and $4,500 for portable field monitors).

Peterson told the committee the governor recommended all of the above except for the two "financial investigator 3" positions proposed for the Consumer Finance Bureau (the two IT‑focused investigator positions). Peterson said that line item was highlighted as not recommended in the governor’s budget.

Senator Melissa Wintrow (Sen.) pressed the department on the rationale, saying she had observed the agency’s staff working on cases that pursued people preying on the elderly and asked for examples and workload data to justify the new positions. Director Perkins replied, “There is a huge increase in cybercrime. And, we have a particular, concern about the elderly population in the state,” and said the department has partnered with ISP and others to gain tools and trace funds, especially in crypto cases where law‑enforcement capacity is limited.

Senator Cook asked for tangible metrics to measure return on investment and to allow next‑year evaluation if positions are approved. Perkins agreed to provide additional data and follow‑up materials, saying, “We’ll get that together for you.” Peterson also acknowledged he did not have all workload numbers in the presentation but could work with the agency to supply them.

The analyst’s materials show the Department of Finance has 72 authorized full‑time positions in a single program that houses the Financial Institutions Bureau, the Consumer Finance Bureau and the Securities Bureau. The agency’s funding is principally from state regulatory funds derived from examination and filing fees; Peterson said roughly 99% of the department’s FY2024 appropriation came from those dedicated funds.

The committee did not take a formal vote during this presentation. Committee members requested follow‑up documentation quantifying current workload, case volumes and measurable outcomes that would support hiring and help assess whether the new positions produce the expected investigative yield.

Director Perkins closed by saying the department supports the governor’s recommended budget overall and thanked committee members for their time.