Idaho Liquor Division seeks pay increases for temp clerks, IT and store upgrades in FY2026 budget request

The Idaho State Liquor Division asked the Joint Finance‑Appropriations Committee on Thursday for a mix of ongoing and one‑time funding in its FY2026 budget to address staff turnover, upgrade store and warehouse equipment, and modernize information technology and security.

Kellen McGurkin, a budget and policy analyst with Legislative Services, told the committee the division’s statutory charge is to “optimize the net revenues to the citizens of Idaho” and reviewed the agency’s recent financial and personnel trends. He said the division distributed about $118.3 million in FY2024 under Idaho Code and reported total sales of about $319.1 million with an average net income that funded statutory distributions.

The division requested ongoing dedicated funding of $131,400, including $57,400 to raise the hourly rate for temporary retail staff from $15.00 to $15.45 and $72,000 to cover the cost of pallet shrink‑wrap required under a new freight contract. McGurkin said…