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JFAC approves one-time ARPA drawdown and modest inflation funding for Commission on Aging
Summary
The Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee approved a package that includes a $500,000 one-time federal drawdown of ARPA funds and $162,600 in ongoing general fund increases for the Commission on Aging; the measure passed 19–1.
The Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee approved funding changes for the Idaho Commission on Aging, including a $500,000 one‑time federal appropriation to draw down remaining ARPA grant funds and $162,600 in ongoing general‑fund support for inflationary costs.
Kellen McGurkin, a budget analyst with Legislative Services, told the committee the agency’s FY2026 request and the governor’s recommendation included three enhancement requests. “The first enhancement asked for a $500,000 one‑time appropriation of federal funds. This is to pay final invoices and draw down final remaining ARPA grant funds before access to that funding expires September thirtieth of 2025,” McGurkin said.
The analyst said $450,000 of the federal one‑time request would be distributed as direct payments to local area agencies on aging to cover final invoices for programs including supportive services, meal programs, modernization at contracted senior centers, caregiver assistance, adult protective services and a public‑health workforce pilot. The request, McGurkin said, is intended for one‑time purposes and “none of this total results in ongoing obligations or loss of expected services when ARPA grants expire.”
The committee also approved $162,600 in ongoing general‑fund support. McGurkin described $155,000 of that as a 3% increase in trustee and benefit payments to local area agencies on aging to address rising costs for labor, insurance and fuel; the remaining $7,600 would cover a 2% increase in operating costs for the central Commission on Aging staff. Separately, the agency requested a $3,900 one‑time general‑fund appropriation to replace two laptops and two docking stations on a four‑year replacement cycle.
Senators and representatives moved and seconded the motion; Representative Petske seconded the action. The committee approved the package by voice roll call: a recorded total of 19 ayes and 1 nay. With a majority in favor, the item will move forward as a bill with a do‑pass recommendation.
The funding is intended to allow the commission to finish projects funded by ARPA and to modestly increase base payments to local aging service providers to offset inflationary pressures. The committee did not direct additional ongoing program expansions beyond the amounts the agency requested.
