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Commission refers FY27 TWRA budget to full commission after staff outlines carry-forwards and cuts
Summary
Deputy Director Frank Fiske presented TWRA’s FY27 proposed budget, describing three agency funds, $36 million in carry-forward projects with associated federal and state reimbursements, and cuts totaling about $3.2 million; the committee voted to refer the FY27 budget to the full commission for approval.
Deputy Director Frank Fiske presented the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency’s proposed fiscal 2027 budget, reviewed carry-forward projects from FY25, and described the agency’s three primary funds: wildlife, boating and the wetland fund (real-estate transfer tax revenue). He said the agency did not propose any expansions for FY27 and that staff reduced carry-forward authority and non‑payroll operating expenses to tighten the budget.
Key figures Fiske provided: roughly $36 million in carry-forward projects (Wildlife and Boating funds), of which about $13 million is expected in federal reimbursements and roughly $5 million in wetland reimbursements; the agency cut about $1.3 million from FY26 planned carry-forwards and about $1.9 million from FY27 operating plans. The proposed FY27 operating budget presented in committee totaled approximately $135 million across funds (payroll and operating), with license sales and federal grants listed as major revenue sources. Fiske said Buffalo Ridge Shooting Complex construction is underway and that the project will be reimbursed largely through federal Pittman‑Robertson funding (90% reimbursement was cited).
Policy and reserve issues: Fiske and commissioners discussed reserve levels. Commissioners noted that statutory limits and state treasury rules constrain how the agency invests reserves, and some commissioners urged legislative changes to allow more aggressive or flexible investment strategies to grow the agency’s reserves without raising license fees.
Action taken: The budget committee voted to refer the FY27 proposal to the full commission for approval at the scheduled full meeting.
Why this matters: The FY27 proposal frames agency operations and capital work for the coming year, identifies reimbursable projects in progress and clarifies the agency’s plan to avoid expansions while tightening non‑payroll spending; referal sends the proposed budget for final review and adoption.
