Legislative budget writers have set a budget for Idaho’s community colleges for next year that’s just $128,700 higher than the governor’s recommendation, thanks to that amount being added for the College of Western Idaho to better reflect its increasing enrollment. “The percentage was a little low there,” said Rep. Wendy Horman, R-Idaho Falls, who worked with three other members of the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee to craft the successful budget plan. It won unanimous support in JFAC, passing on a 19-0 vote.

Rep. Melissa Wintrow, D-Boise, said, “We’re just trying to be fair and equalize the balance out for everyone.”

Rep. Steve Miller, R-Fairfield, proposed the budget in JFAC this morning; Sen. Dean Mortimer, R-Idaho Falls, seconded the motion. The $39.4 million general fund budget for community colleges for next year reflects a 6.7 percent increase over this year; the small addition was enough to bump up the percentage from Gov. Butch Otter’s recommended 6.4 percent increase.

At an earlier budget hearing, CWI President Bert Glandon said his fast-growing college is “desperate” for more state funding, as its enrollment has swelled from 1,200 students in 2009 to nearly 25,000 this year. Two years ago, CWI asked for $1.4 million from the state to address its growing student numbers; the governor and Legislature approved $400,000. This year, theye requested $2.9 million for “balance funding;” Otter recommended $221,300. The budget set by JFAC bumps that up to $350,000.

The budget bill still needs approval from both houses and the governor’s signature to become law, but budget bills rarely change once they’re set by the joint committee.

The budget covers Idaho’s three community colleges, CWI in the Treasure Valley, North Idaho College in Coeur d’Alene and the College of Southern Idaho in Twin Falls. The budget includes only the state funding and state liquor fund distributions to the colleges; the state doesn’t appropriate local funds for the community colleges, including property taxes and student fees and tuition. Those are allocated by locally elected boards at each college. Nearly 70 percent of Idaho’s community college funding comes from local property taxpayers.

As recommended by the governor, the budget for next year includes funding for a Title IX coordinator and for technology to help students with disabilities access materials at NIC; funding for CSI’s “Bridge to Success” summer program and its outreach center in Idaho Falls; and funding for additional student adviser positions at CWI’s “Student Success” program.

---

---