Idaho and Clearwater counties will see a slight increase in money received from the federal government through the Secure Rural Schools program.
Congress recently authorized funding to 2017 levels after cutting payments for the past few years.
The payments are meant to help stabilize rural counties where the tax base is limited by the large number of federal lands within their borders. Nearly 85% of Idaho County is national forest or state-owned property and about 60% of Clearwater County is federal or state land.
This year, because of the reauthorization, Idaho County is poised to receive $6.5 million. Clearwater County expects about $1.3 million.
Overall, Idaho will receive $23.4 million in SRS payments for fiscal year 2021. Under Idaho law, 30% of the money goes to counties to help with schools and the remaining 70% is earmarked for roads, bridges and other infrastructure projects. That means Idaho schools will receive about $7 million and Idaho roads and other county projects will get about $16.4 million for fiscal year 2021. (Lewiston Tribune)
