Commission on Sentencing approves FY 2025–26 operating budget and service contracts amid projected shortfall

The Commission on Sentencing on June 11 approved a proposed FY 2025–26 operating budget and multiple service contracts while staff warned the agency faces a significant reserve drawdown if requested funding is not restored.

Executive Director Matt Wyman told members the commission’s operating request assumes modest salary increases and includes funds encumbered for a multi‑year IT project. He said the commission requested roughly $3.4 million from the legislature but the operating model presented to the commission shows about $3.8 million in personnel and operating costs; if the requested funding is not forthcoming the commission will draw reserves and delay work. “If this budget request isn’t met, then we’re going to be out of reserves at the end of this fiscal year or close to it,” Wyman said during the meeting.

The commission voted to approve the proposed FY 2025–26 operating budget after a motion by DA Bible and a second by Judge Daley; the motion passed by voice vote. The body also approved a service purchase contract with The Pennsylvania State University for commission operating expenses in the amount of $2,926,211 (motion by Judge McDermott; second Professor Rego), a one‑year legal counsel contract for Professor Joseph Sabino Mystic for $50,000 (moved by Judge Marcico; second Attorney Bakovic), and a not‑to‑exceed $100,000 contract with Carbon Creek for application development services related to the commission’s next‑generation case exchange (motion moved by DA Bridal/Bible; seconded by Judge Marcico). All three motions passed on voice votes.

Wyman also reported staffing changes and vacancies: since the start of the fiscal year the commission reduced its authorized FTE from 24 to 22 and is currently operating with 19 filled positions. He said vacancies include positions in Applications & Information Technology, Administration, and Education & Outreach; the commission is using targeted consultants to supplement IT work while vacancies remain open for budgetary reasons. Wyman said the commission spent about $275,000 this year on rebuilding its web application (SGS NextGen / KCER) and that earlier consultant contracts were terminated in favor of smaller, targeted contracts.

Members and staff discussed tradeoffs if requested legislative funds are not approved, including delaying the KCER work, curtailing training and publications, and further reductions to travel and equipment. Wyman said the commission has drawn other reserve accounts and faces a roughly $700,000 shortfall this fiscal year that reduces available reserves to roughly $350,000 if no supplemental funds are provided. He described potential consequences: delays to the web application, fewer staff available to produce rapid legislative analyses and trainings, and diminished capacity for special projects such as the Senate Resolution 196 veterans study.

The executive team said they are actively engaging legislative allies—Representative Bonner and Senator Street were named in the meeting—and appropriations staff to seek additional funding before the budget is finalized. Staff will return to members with further budget details and any recommended adjustments if appropriations differ from the request.

Ending: The commission approved the motions and contracts by voice vote and instructed staff to continue legislative outreach and to proceed with the approved service purchases and consultant engagements while monitoring the reserve balance.