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Board to consider merits of GARVEE bonding

The Idaho Transportation Board will assemble for a one-day workshop Thursday (Oct. 7), concentrating most of its discussion on Grant Anticipation Revenue Vehicle (GARVEE) bonds as a possible tool to fund construction projects.

The board will study GARVEE bonding and consider whether the concept could be applied in Idaho. If approved by the Legislature, the financing tool could provide authority to use federal-aid highway funds to pay the principle, interest and other costs associated with borrowing by the state to finance eligible highway projects.

Other information the board has requested for review on Thursday, as a way of better understanding ITD programs, includes driver’s training, Logo and Tourist-Oriented Directional Signs and surplus real property.

The board will convene in regular session on Friday (Oct. 8) to address the following topics and consider other business:

Approval of additional hearing officers
The board appoints hearing officers to receive testimony at public hearings. These officers are ITD employees who have full-time jobs in addition to serving as hearing officers. With the approaching retirement of Gaye Hunsberger, the department will need more hearing officers. The board will be asked to consider the appointment of two Division of Motor Vehicles employees – Maggie Ransom and Pat Carr – as additional hearing officers.

New Internet web site
The board will receive a preview of the newly-designed ITD Internet home page. New features and formats have been designed to address the needs of an increasingly sophisticated public, to meet the technology demands of our customers and to promote ITD and state programs.

Proposed Legislation for 2005
Since the September board meeting, the Governor’s Office has approved an additional legislative concept that the department submitted earlier. With the concurrence of the Governor’s Office, staff drafted legislation for GARVEE bonds. The legislation will be submitted to the board for approval.

Employee Service Awards
In addition to recognizing numerous employees for their years of service at ITD and congratulating recent retirees for reaching that significant milestone, a number of other special awards will be presented during the semiannual employee service awards program. Board member John McHugh and Ekern will provide comments. The board looks forward to the opportunity to recognize employees for their contributions to the department and to the state.