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State Independent Living Council outlines budget, seeks shift of small appropriation to general fund
Summary
The Idaho State Independent Living Council told the Joint Finance and Appropriations Committee it spends nearly all its federal-dedicated revenue, maintains a roughly $280,000 reserve and the governor recommends shifting $11,700 of appropriation from the council's dedicated fund to the general fund to cover statewide maintenance costs.
Kellen McGurkin, a budget and policy analyst with the Legislative Services Office, told the Joint Finance and Appropriations Committee on Jan. 15 that the State Independent Living Council (SILC) consistently spends most or all of the dedicated federal revenue it receives and maintains an ending balance "close to that $280,000 mark." McGurkin said SILC's dedicated fund is supported primarily by federal grants under Title I of the Rehabilitation Act and Title VII of the Workforce Investment Act and that timing differences between federal grant periods and the state fiscal year sometimes make revenue and expenditure comparisons appear mismatched.
The council, established under Title 56, Chapter 12 of Idaho Code, has 4 full-time positions, including Executive Director Mel Levitan, and provides advocacy, information and training to maximize independence and inclusion for Idahoans with disabilities. McGurkin told the committee SILC averages about 69% of its appropriated dollars spent on personnel and typically spends nearly all available revenue, noting a $30,000 increase in Title I funding in fiscal 2023 — the first increase in about a decade.
McGurkin summarized the governor's recommendation for fiscal 2026: "the governor's recommendation is for a total of $11,700 in appropriation to be shifted from the agency's dedicated fund to the general fund." He said the move would cause the general fund to cover roughly half of statewide increases in health benefits and change‑in‑employee‑compensation (CEC) costs that otherwise would be paid from SILC's dedicated fund. Director Mel Levitan, introducing himself afterward, thanked the committee for prior help with a $10,000 line item that paid for external audits and recognized staff who completed audits with no findings.
Committee members asked for clarification on whether SILC had overspent its dedicated fund; McGurkin responded that timing differences in federal grant awards and the state fiscal year can make a year-to-year comparison appear as an overspend even when cash flow is appropriate. No formal action or vote was recorded during the presentation. The committee will consider the maintenance recommendation as part of broader budget-setting work.
SILC executives said they travel statewide to deliver trainings and supports, which drives much of the agency's operating costs. The presentation materials and agency-provided slides were referenced by McGurkin during the hearing.
