Commission on Aging seeks modest inflation funding, plans to draw remaining ARPA aid before Sept. 30 deadline

The Idaho Commission on Aging asked the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee on Feb. 24 for a modest ongoing general-fund increase and said it intends to draw down remaining ARPA funds before they expire on Sept. 30, 2025.

Colin McGurkin, a budget and policy analyst with Legislative Services, told the committee the commission “implements the Federal Older Americans Act and Idaho Senior Services Act” and that the agency’s direct services are delivered through six local Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs). He said the commission’s base budget and federal grants fund meal service, transportation, caregiver assistance and adult protective services and that the agency has 15 authorized full‑time positions with one vacancy.

The commission’s request for FY2026 aligns with the governor’s recommendation and includes an ongoing general‑fund increase of $162,600 to cover inflationary costs. McGurkin said about $155,000 of that request is for a 3% increase in trustee and benefit payments to the AAAs intended to cover rising labor, insurance and fuel costs; the remainder would cover operating inflation for the commission.

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