JFAC accepts CEC pay recommendations: targeted raises, trooper pay priority, and benefit guidance

The legislature’s Committee on Employee Compensation presented recommendations to JFAC that would raise the primary compensation schedule roughly 3.2% and propose targeted increases for specific occupational schedules. JFAC accepted the CEC report by unanimous consent.

Senator Dan Foreman, co-chair of the CEC, told the committee the CEC recommended shifting the primary compensation schedule upward by an average of 3.2% as the Division of Human Resources recommended, with an exception for pay grade D where the minimum would remain at the statutory minimum of $7.25 per hour. The committee recommended shifting specialized compensation schedules upward by an average of 3.2% for public safety, 3% for IT and engineering, and 3.5% for nursing and health care.

On salary increases, the committee recommended funding a $1.55-per-hour-per-FTE salary increase with flexibility for agency heads and institution presidents to distribute funds as they see fit. For nursing and health care positions the committee recommended funding either the $1.55-per-hour increase or 3%, whichever is greater. The committee also recommended that the legislature fund a targeted increase for Idaho State Police troopers in pay grade L of up to 8% to address retention and recruitment concerns.

Explaining the trooper recommendation, Foreman said the increase was driven by what he described as “a serious public safety emergency” tied to low staffing: “In my district, ISP District 2 … they're already at 50% manning in terms of troopers,” he said, describing potential cuts to patrol coverage if departures continue. Foreman told JFAC the committee heard from troopers that low pay — not morale or working conditions — is the primary driver of departures and that an 8% increase would help retention.

Senator Ward Engelking raised concerns that the recommended increases will not reach many employees above roughly $64,000 per year and said the state is facing roughly a 19% vacancy/turnover rate among state employees and is up to 25% below market rates in some fields. Representative James Holsclaw (District 20) and others praised staff work on the report.

The CEC also recommended maintaining the current employee benefits package with no significant plan design changes and proposed raising the appropriation level (benefit funding assumption) for FY26 per-FTE costs from $13,000 to $13,960.

JFAC accepted the CEC report by unanimous consent after a motion to accept; the committee will consider compensation funding when it takes up maintenance and enhancement budget decisions next week.

Ending: The recommendations are advisory to JFAC; specific appropriations will be set during budget hearings and are subject to subsequent committee votes.