ISU releases report on Serval House expenses

Idaho State University released data Tuesday on the cost of maintaining Serval House, the university president’s off-campus residence.

The records — consisting of around 900 pages — include work requests and utility bills for Serval House from 2010 to 2014.

The documents show maintenance costs increased sharply in the past few years – from $9,308 in 2010 to $15,912 in 2011 to $38,661 in 2012. In 2014, costs were $34,257, with painting accounting for $17,683.

Painting accounting for more than $38,000 worth of expenses in 2013 and 2014 combined.

In November, ISU announced plans to sell the house and buy a new one south of town, citing $31,000 in annual maintenance costs. The university has since backed down from plans to sell the mansion.

After this announcement, the D’Amico family filed a public information request asking for all purchase requests and other documents that might help them arrive at that number.

The D’Amincos paid $1,235 for the records with money raised online. ISU officials had said the cost reflected the 60 to 80 hours it would take to compile the documents.

On Tuesday ISU officials told Local News 8 it cost them around $4,500 to assemble the documents, but they won’t be charging the D’Amicos for the additional money.

The public access document was not allowed to leave the room where they it was displayed Tuesday, but the D’Amincos would receive a copy, ISU officials said. The public can view it by stopping by the General Counsel Room in the administration building during regular business hours.

The D’Amicos tell Local News 8 they’ve yet to review the document and plan to pick it up Thursday.

Serval House is owned by the university and is used to host a number of university-related events. University rules require the president to pick up the tab for furnishings in his private living quarters.