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Legislative Finance Panel Approves $666,500 for Idaho Commission on Aging
Summary
The Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee approved $666,500 in additions to the Commission on Aging’s FY2026 budget: $500,000 in one-time federal ARPA funds and $166,500 in general fund increases, including trustee payments to local area agencies on aging and replacement IT hardware.
The Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee on Friday approved adding $666,500 to the Idaho Commission on Aging’s Fiscal Year 2026 budget, including a $500,000 one-time federal appropriation to draw down remaining ARPA grant funds and $166,500 from the general fund for inflationary and equipment needs.
Kellen McGurkin, a budget analyst with the Legislative Services Office, told the committee the $500,000 in federal funds is intended to pay final invoices and draw down ARPA grant funds before access to that funding expires on Sept. 30, 2025. "Of that amount, $450,000 is for direct payments to local area agencies on aging, which would cover final invoices for a variety of programs including older Idaho and supportive services, meal programs, modernization at contracted senior centers, caregiver assistance, adult protective services, and a pilot program to expand the public health workforce," McGurkin said.
The committee approved a $162,600 ongoing general-fund increase to address inflationary pressures, including a $155,000 increase to trustee and benefit payments that the commission distributes to local area agencies on aging. McGurkin said those trustee payments do not automatically receive annual maintenance adjustments and therefore require committee action to increase. The remaining $7,600 would cover a 2% increase in certain operating expenditures at the central Commission on Aging office for items such as training materials and travel.
The agency also requested a one-time $3,900 general-fund appropriation to replace laptops and docking stations per the state’s information-technology replacement schedule. McGurkin said the machines are on a four-year replacement cycle.
Senator Ward Engelking moved the funding package, and Representative Petske seconded the motion. The recorded vote showed broad approval across both chambers; the committee chair announced the motion passed with a majority. The roll call as read in the transcript included multiple aye votes and one recorded nay by Seiderfeld. The committee chair said the final tally was 19 ayes and 1 nay.
The committee record shows the appropriation includes both one-time and ongoing elements; McGurkin and members noted the one-time ARPA funds are intended to close out grant-era spending rather than create enduring program obligations.
The item will proceed as a bill with a committee recommendation to pass.
