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Idaho parks request $9.8M transfer, staff and capital funds as director outlines projects and a 677‑acre purchase
Summary
At a Joint Finance hearing, the Department of Parks and Recreation requested a $9.8 million supplemental transfer tied to last year’s program consolidation, sought personnel and one‑time enhancements for FY2027, and outlined major projects — including a newly purchased 677‑acre property in Lemhi County the agency says can open to the public by June.
Susan Buxton, director of the Department of Parks and Recreation, told the Joint Finance Corporation Committee that the agency is asking lawmakers to approve a supplemental transfer of $9,800,000 to move grant funds into the newly consolidated park operations program so previously awarded grants can be reflected as spent.
The request accompanies a slate of FY2027 enhancements the agency says are primarily funded from dedicated funds and one‑time federal money; Buxton and a legislative analyst described the proposals as focused on additional park personnel, trail maintenance, utilities and RV/campsite upgrades rather than new general‑fund commitments.
The transfer is a bookkeeping step tied to last year’s consolidation, Janet Jessup, a budget and policy analyst with the Legislative Services Office, told the committee: "the total amount that would be affected is $9,800,000." She said the transfer would be acted on alongside FY2027 enhancements but would affect the current fiscal year.
Why it matters: agency officials say the investments deliver more usable capacity and safer facilities at…
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