JFAC approves $122.9 million for public works projects, deferred maintenance and campus improvements

The Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee recommended approval of $122,861,900 in one-time Permanent Building Fund expenditures for a slate of capital projects, deferred maintenance restorations and replacement items.

Major items included funding for Public Works projects and campus investments: expansion of the Department of Lands Ponderosa supervisory office, utilities for the planned Army National Guard Readiness Center in Bonneville County, additional funding for an Idaho State Police District 2 facility, lab construction at the Micron Center for Materials Research at Boise State University, an Idaho State University life sciences complex, and a joint military science and veterans assistance center at the University of Idaho. The package also restored statewide deferred maintenance funding and included more than $68.2 million for replacement items (alterations/repairs, building maintenance, ADA compliance, and Chinden Campus/Capitol Mall facility maintenance).

Committee language requires the Division of Public Works to provide project status reports with the November budget submission, directs the Permanent Building Fund Advisory Council to make prioritization recommendations for projects without construction starts within four years, and asks the council to recommend disposition of remaining balances from older appropriations. Standard language clarifies the Permanent Building Fund Advisory Council's role in prioritization, allows the use of matching funds, and authorizes moving project savings to other approved projects with council approval.

The committee recorded roll-call votes and announced a due-pass recommendation for the package.