Idaho Parks seeks program consolidation, higher seasonal pay and capital funding

The Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation told the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee it is seeking to consolidate two management programs, raise seasonal wages and secure funding to complete capital and deferred-maintenance projects.

The request, presented by Janet Jessup of Legislative Services and Director Susan Buxton, would merge the department's management‑services and park‑operations budgets (a net‑zero technical consolidation), raise seasonal compensation and implement targeted pay steps for park rangers to address internal pay compression. Director Susan Buxton said the department also included sizable capital outlay requests, including projects at Bear Lake Fish Haven and Lake Cascade, and is working with the Coeur d'Alene Tribe to replace two aging marinas at Hebron State Park.

The consolidation and pay changes matter because much of the department's operating revenue is dedicated by statute to specific purposes, limiting flexibility, while capital…