Building fund budget trims back some construction projects

JFAC is setting budgets this week, starting with non-general fund agencies. Among today’s: The state’s Permanent Building Fund. Gov. Butch Otter had called for shifting $10 million from the building fund in a budget-balancing move without holding up any planned construction projects, but that proved impossible. Instead, JFAC members, the governor’s office and the state Division of Public Works have crafted a plan to shift $7 million - $3 million from the construction contingency fund, and $4 million cut from scheduled construction projects, in order to allow alterations and repair funding to remain untouched.

The plan, sponsored by Reps. Darrell Bolz, R-Caldwell, and Jim Patrick, R-Twin Falls, cuts next year’s expenditure for a multi-year renovation of the Capitol Annex from $2.5 million to $1.5 million; eliminates $500,000 that had been planned to start BSU’s Institute for Arts & Humanities building; and cuts back remodels at ISU and LCSC to just planning funds of $100,000 at ISU, instead of $1.1 million, and $200,000 at LCSC to upgrade the fine arts building, instead of $1.7 million.

Left unchanged are the governor’s recommendations to complete installation of mobile shelving at the state Historical Society, which at $890,000 completes that project; and $500,000 to expand the Idaho Veterans Cemetery, which is needed up-front to match a federal grant but will be reimbursed to the state later. The plan also gives the Division of Public Works the flexibility to shift funds around to other projects if costs prove lower than anticipated. JFAC approved the plan this morning on a 20-0, unanimous vote.