Lakeland Community College received approval from the Ohio Controlling Board on Aug. 18 to transfer previously appropriated HVAC funds to an urgent electrical infrastructure project, college officials told the board.
The transfer was requested because the college needs redundancy in its electric supply now, while the broader mechanical/HVAC replacement will require additional funding over multiple biennia, the college said.
David Cummins, treasurer of Lakeland Community College, introduced the request. Representative Troy asked whether the transfer represented money left over from a completed HVAC project and whether the mechanical work was finished. President Schuller responded, "no. Unfortunately, the, the mechanical project is gonna be a very large project. And it's we anticipate we're gonna need at least 2 more biennia of funding." She said the college has hired an engineer, has bid the electrical work and will seek follow‑on appropriations for the mechanical work.
Schuller estimated the full mechanical effort could be "in the range of $6 to $8,000,000 when it's all said and done" and said the electrical work was more urgent because the college needs redundancy in its electric supply.
Representative Troy asked a follow‑up and was told the college expects to return for additional appropriations for mechanical work. With no further objections on the floor, the board approved item number 7.
The board recorded the approval after questioning and an exchange of clarifying details; no roll‑call vote tally was provided on the transcript.