County chooses higher Secure Rural Schools payment, directs 80/20 allocation

Christy Clausen, Bannock County controller, recommended the board accept the Secure Rural Schools (SRS) payment option that uses the 1908 25% calculation rather than the rolling average. Clausen said the difference is substantial: under the 1908 option the county would have received about $122,800 for fiscal year '23 compared with about $16,100 under the rolling average.

Clausen recommended allocating roughly 80% of the SRS payment to Title I for schools and roads and about 18–20% to Title II for special projects on federal land; Title I funds are distributed by school population and Title II funds support projects where the Forest Service often partners with the county. Commissioners agreed and the board authorized the controller to sign the allocation form, with the acting chair to sign where required.

Clausen noted that title allocations determine how payments are distributed — for example, 70% of Title I goes to schools and 30% to county road and bridge and specified highway districts; Title II funds are typically used for projects on federal lands and may be administered through interagency agreements. The board recorded an affirmative vote to accept the recommendation and complete the paperwork.