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Committee approves BEA lease amendment to encompass Gopher space; agency to use interagency reimbursement
Summary
The Long Range Capital Planning & Utilization Committee approved a 37‑month lease amendment allowing the Department of Business and Economic Affairs (BEA) to assume space occupied by the Government Office of Federal and Economic Relief (Gopher) and to process an interagency reimbursement using federal funds, the committee was told.
The Long Range Capital Planning & Utilization Committee approved a 37‑month lease amendment allowing the Department of Business and Economic Affairs to incorporate space currently occupied by the Government Office of Federal and Economic Relief, known as Gopher, into BEA's lease and to execute an interagency reimbursement arrangement so Gopher can continue occupying part of the space at a reduced per‑square‑foot rate.
BEA Director of Finance Kathy Frederickson told the committee the amendment would let BEA assume the portion of the lease now held by Gopher and then run an interagency transaction so Gopher can remain in the building at a better rate "for the state." Frederickson said the agencies occupy contiguous space in the building and the change does not increase the total square footage used by the two agencies, but allows the state to realize a lower per‑square‑foot cost because BEA holds a larger overall lease.
Frederickson said Gopher staff levels "fluctuate depending on the demand of what they provide for state services," and the arrangement gives both agencies flexibility to reallocate staff within the same overall footprint. When asked what Gopher is, Frederickson replied, "It's the Government Office of Federal and Economic Relief." She also told the committee that under the agreement Gopher will reimburse BEA with federal funds and that BEA will net about a $1,000 reduction overall while Gopher will realize approximately a $2,500 reduction in federal expenditure. Frederickson said a memorandum of understanding between BEA and Gopher was approved at the governor and council on 06/25.
Senator McConkie asked whether BEA would be changing floors or otherwise increasing its total space; Frederickson said the arrangement retains the same total square footage between the two agencies and merely adjusts which agency holds which portions of the lease. No member raised objections. A motion to accept LRCP25‑024 carried.
The committee recorded the action as an approved lease amendment; the committee did not request additional conditions beyond the interagency transaction and existing approvals described by BEA.
