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OMES officials defend flat operating request while lawmakers press for clearer accounting of rents, purchasing and deferred maintenance
Summary
Officials from the Office of Management and Enterprise Services told the Senate subcommittee they are requesting limited new operating funds but face scrutiny from members over rent calculations, procurement practices and deferred maintenance of state buildings.
OMES officials told the Senate subcommittee that their 2026 operating request includes limited recurring increases but does not yet include a large, new capital ask for deferred maintenance.
The exchange centered on how OMES calculates rent charged to state agencies, whether central purchasing is saving money, and how deferred maintenance should be prioritized and funded.
Director Rose told senators the office is working to bring more transparency to charges for rent, shared services and statewide purchasing. “If we're not utilizing [state purchasing power] properly or if we are somehow profiting off the agencies, we are doing it wrong,” Rose said. OMES staff also said rent is meant to cover utilities and building upkeep but does not fully pay all maintenance costs.
Senators pressed OMES for…
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