Division of Administration budget shows large federal recovery and infrastructure pots — Restore, CDBG, Gumbo broadband, water‑sector funding

Chaz Nichols of Senate Fiscal Services reviewed the Division of Administration budget and highlighted that a large share of DOA’s FY26 recommended budget is federal funding and statutory dedications tied to disaster recovery and community development programs.

Nichols noted other charges — the line that typically carries grants and project spending — is the largest category in DOA’s budget, representing roughly 94% of DOA expenditures after federal and special funds. Major buckets included broadband equity and access (so‑called “Gumbo” funds), CDBG (Community Development Block Grant) mitigation and disaster recovery (including Restore Louisiana allocations), and the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law funding in support of water sector Phase 2. Nichols said DOA requested authority that reflects recent BA‑7 adjustments made in January to cover Restore and phase‑in program costs; he cautioned some current‑year authority increases reflect timing rather than new additional appropriations.

Nichols and DOA staff walked the committee through specific program totals shown in the executive budget: CDBG‑Restore program amounts, Gumbo broadband allocations (including previous and planned phases), and a proposed phase‑2 water program that will expand community water‑sector assistance. He said DOA other charges includes significant items including $708.9 million assigned to CDBG Restore Louisiana programs and roughly $98.3 million for broadband equity deployment in the FY26 request. He added DOA handles many federal program flows and had to budget administrative lines, outside counsel, and increased facility planning workload tied to capital outlays.

Commissioner Taylor Barra and DOA staff emphasized the department is largely pass‑through and federal‑driven and flagged the importance of updated budget authority to continue payments already authorized in January. Patrick Goldsmith noted turnover and vacancy scrutiny had allowed the administration to identify efficiency savings but that DOA’s capital and recovery workload has increased staffing and transfer needs.

Why it matters: DOA’s FY26 budget is a central vehicle for directing federal disaster recovery and broadband infrastructure dollars across the state. The committee asked for clarity about where those large pots are targeted and how state budget authority and recoveries will be tracked.

Ending: Nichols and DOA said they will supply detailed project lists and an updated accounting of BA‑7 authority and monthly expenditure trends as the committee requested.