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ITD requests $10M authority for airport grants, flags costly repairs on state aircraft
Summary
ITD sought committee approval to spend about $10 million for airport grants and equipment repairs, saying most funds are receipts and interest already in its aeronautics accounts but that specifics and measurable ROI will be reported after grants are awarded.
The Joint Finance‑Appropriations Committee examined a governor‑recommended enhancement that would allow the Idaho Transportation Department to expend about $10 million for airport grants and equipment repairs, including potential replacement or major repair of a state airplane.
Brooke Dupree, Legislative Services Office analyst, described the governor’s recommendation as language and spending authority consistent with ITD’s requested enhancements. Director Scott Stokes told the committee the bulk of the request is intended for community airport grants and for equipment needs in aeronautics operations.
On sources and reporting
Director Stokes said much of the money is either receipts above prior appropriation or interest generated in the Strategic Initiatives Aeronautics Fund. “There are two primary sources of this revenue. One is the interest that we've received on the Strategic Initiative Aeronautics Fund... There's about $4,000,000 that is generated from interest,” Stokes said. He also said the remaining funds come from aviation fuel tax receipts that were not previously appropriated.
Committee members pressed for measurable returns on the requested spending. Representative Horman asked, “Are we gonna get our luggage faster? Are we going to get de‑iced faster?” and requested anticipated ROI metrics. Stokes said the grant component would be operated like existing airport grant programs and ITD reports on grant completion, but that measuring ROI for airplane maintenance or replacement would require a different reporting approach.
Equipment and facility needs
Stokes told the committee the state operates at least one airplane needing significant work, saying the agency faces “engine replacement, in the next 3 years... They're about 800,000 apiece. And so, we'll either have to do some repairs to that airplane or replace it.” The agency also identified a maintenance facility near the Boise area that needs repairs.
Spending authority and cash availability
When asked whether the $10 million request represented new money, Stokes said much of the cash is already in ITD accounts and the request is largely for expenditure authority: “The money is available... about 60% is receipts above appropriation from the past few years. The other part is interest. The cash is in our account,” he told the committee.
Ending
Committee members asked ITD staff to provide clearer performance measures and project lists for proposed grants and equipment purchases. ITD said it will operate the grants under the same tracking and reporting practices used for other aviation grant programs and will provide follow‑up information on program delivery and outcomes.
