IDAHO NATIONAL
Idaho
Transportation |
Board
adopts $489.3 million budget for FY06 The Idaho Transportation Board, meeting in Coeur dAlene Aug. 19, 20, approved the departments Fiscal Year 2006 budget request of $489.3 million. The budget is based on ITDs six core programs program delivery, capital investment, planning, facilities, research and information technology. Board approval clears the way for submitting the budget to the Division of Financial Management and Legislative Services Office for advancement to Gov. Dirk Kempthorne and the 2006 Idaho Legislature. Included in ITDs budget is $285.6 million for contract construction and right-of-way acquisition, a 1 percent change in employee compensation with an additional 4 percent reserved in the contract construction budget, $3.9 million for capital facilities, and a personnel complement of 1,833 full-time equivalent positions. Other board discussion End-of-Year Adjustments to the Formula Federal Highway
Program Project cost increases and decreases are reviewed, and projects that are scheduled for the future are evaluated to determine if they could be advanced into the current fiscal year if funding is available. The board approved advancing the following projects, in priority order, into FY04 if funds are available:
Cascade Reservoir Airstrip After an initial investment to establish camp sites, ongoing maintenance costs should be minimal. The airstrip is located on the east side of Cascade Reservoir, within approximately 100 feet of the shoreline. It is anticipated that this will be a popular, high-use facility because of its location. District 1 Tour Stokes explained the districts four focus areas maximizing highway improvements; efficient, safe, quality operations; responsiveness to customers and partners; and safety. He emphasized that ITD employees are instrumental in the districts efficient operation and are essential to the focus areas. He acknowledged Pam Knapps landscaping efforts on the district campus and said that her concerted efforts to keep costs to a minimum while improving the facility are commendable (see next week's Transporter for a complete story). During its tour, board members visited the Sandpoint Municipal Airport and heard about the commercial air service being established to Boise and Seattle, and learned about security efforts at Eastport. They also took a break for lunch with the Bonners Ferry maintenance crew. Several pieces of road equipment were available at the shed for board members to see and learn about. |