The Permanent Building Fund budget – the state’s capital building project budget – has been set at $24.1 million for next year, closely matching the governor’s recommendation and the recommendation from the Permanent Building Fund Advisory Council. Projects funded are: Statewide building alteration and repairs, $15 million; U of I Research and Innovation Center, $2.5 million; Idaho State Historical Museum remodel, $2.4 million; ISU Treasure Valley Anatomy Lab, a cadaver lab, $1.96 million; Capitol Annex infrastructure improvements, $1.5 million; and remodel of the Rexburg Readiness Center, $722,500, for which there’s an equal amount in federal matching funds.

The budget motion crafted by four JFAC members makes just one change from the advisory council’s recommendation, excluding $483,000 in alteration and repair projects at the Division of Veterans Services, because that division has a large cash balance that can cover those. The motion passed unanimously, 19-0.

No state general tax funds are used; the Permanent Building Fund gets its money from half of state lottery funds, a special $10 head tax, and a portion of cigarette taxes.