Idaho Counties Will Obtain $23.4 Million in Federal Funds for Faculties, Roads and Bridge Restore

BOISE, Idaho – Idaho’s U.S. Senators Jim Risch and Mike Crapo and U.S. Representatives Mike Simpson and Russ Fulcher (all R-Idaho) and State Treasurer Julie Ellsworth introduced Idaho counties will obtain a complete of $23.4 million in funds for Fiscal 12 months 2021 below the Safe Rural Faculties (SRS) program. Underneath Idaho legislation, 30 p.c of the SRS funding goes to counties to assist with faculties and the remaining 70 p.c is earmarked for roads, bridges and different infrastructure initiatives. Meaning Idaho faculties will obtain roughly $7 million, and Idaho roads and different county initiatives will obtain roughly $16.4 million for FY 2021.

The U.S. Forest Service, and in some instances, the U.S. Bureau of Land Administration administer the funds. The totals are primarily based on a method that takes into consideration financial exercise, timber harvest ranges and different issues that adjust from county to county. SRS funds are important to keep up education schemes for a lot of rural counties that include federal lands exempt from property taxes.  Idaho obtained the third-highest whole within the U.S., behind California and Oregon.

“I’m happy we have been in a position to safe this SRS funding for Idaho’s rural counties, however extra must be finished,” mentioned Senator Risch. “The federal authorities has an obligation to the communities that rely on the SRS program. We owe it to them to discover a lasting answer.”

 “This funding is so precious to our rural faculties and infrastructure. My workplace seems to be ahead to getting these {dollars} into the arms of our Idaho counties to additional alternatives for our rural areas,” mentioned Idaho Treasurer Julie Ellsworth. “A giant thanks to Senators Crapo and Risch in addition to Congressmen Simpson and Fulcher for securing this appropriation for Idaho.”

“SRS funds are important for rural counties throughout Idaho and the West, however a everlasting answer is required,” mentioned Senator Crapo. “Satisfactory funding for faculties, roads and infrastructure restore will solely be assured as soon as we are able to attain settlement on a self-contained funding mechanism outdoors the yearly votes in Congress, and we’re working towards the purpose of a extra everlasting answer.”

“SRS funds are important in funding Idaho faculties and infrastructure, and I’m happy to see this funding come to our state,” mentioned Consultant Simpson. “That is primarily the federal authorities’s property tax for counties the place there are giant quantities of federal land. If you happen to don’t have the power to gather native property taxes, these applications are crucial to offer funding for faculties, roads, and different native providers – particularly in Idaho’s rural counties.”

“For years, native governments and faculties in rural counties in Idaho have skilled strained budgets attributable to immense federal land possession within the West,” mentioned Consultant Fulcher. “These areas take an enormous hit as a result of a lot of the land of their jurisdiction just isn’t taxable. Whereas this yr’s funding is optimistic, the short-term nature of those bulletins could cause points for these communities and faculties in making long-term plans. Trying ahead, it’s crucial that Congress prioritize a long-term, predictable answer for PILT and SRS to help these counties.”

For extra details about the administration of public funds by the State Treasurer’s Workplace (STO), go to the STO’s web site HERE. 

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