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Secretary of State and related agencies outline IT projects, Broadwater Marina work and new ABC warehouse plans
Summary
The Secretary of State's office briefed the committee on major IT replacements (STAR), the Broadwater Marina restoration, conversion of one-time SIIMS capital funding to annual expense, relocation plans to 660 North Street, and legal defense costs. Separately, ABC/warehouse presenters updated the committee on a planned 300,000-square-foot warehouse (target Q4 2026 completion) and tag-fund requests for license plates and mailing costs.
Carl Thornhill, chief of staff for the Secretary of State's office, presented the agency's request to the committee and highlighted several multiyear projects and operational needs.
Thornhill said the office is a net revenue generator (the transcript cited roughly $29 million in general-fund revenue and about $17 million in special funds for FY25) while seeking level operations with restorations for position counts and funding for contractual and IT equipment needs. He described three major ongoing projects: Broadwater Marina restoration on the Gulf Coast (multi-source funding, anticipated completion January 2026); replacement or redevelopment of STAR, a 20-year legacy application that houses public lands, UCC and campaign finance reporting; and converting the Statewide Election Management System (SIIMS) funding that had been capitalized into an annual operating expense so maintenance can continue.
On litigation and special funds, office…
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