The State Construction Department briefed the Joint Appropriations Committee on a new, 20-year facility-condition assessment and a major-maintenance funding request that targets state buildings, community colleges, the University and state parks.

Director McComley said the assessment used a 20-year planning horizon and Wyoming-specific cost adjustments, and that the recommended major-maintenance multiplier (2.5%) was designed to extend building life cycles and reduce long-term capital replacement costs. He told the committee the assessment covered roughly 20 million square feet of publicly owned buildings and recommended phased major-maintenance allocations to head off larger capital needs.

As one high-priority capital item, the Department of Health and the State Building Commission presented a level-3 request to remodel the Veterans Home in Buffalo. Officials said the total project budget is about $106 million, of which prior appropriations total roughly $24.85 million and the current request is about $87 million. The department noted that the Federal Veterans Administration State Home Construction Grant Program may reimburse a portion of eligible costs (historically a material match), but the timing and percent reimbursement are uncertain and subject to federal scheduling.

SCD staff explained that some projects proposed by institutions (community colleges, state fair projects, and local stadium/arena work) carry private or matching funds. The committee asked agencies to provide confirmations of secured matches and operating-cost estimates (for example, utility impacts for year-round arenas).

What's next: SCD recommended approval of the major-maintenance package to preserve facility condition; the committee asked follow-up questions on private matching funds and the federal reimbursement pathway for the Veterans Home remodel.

Quotes in this article are drawn verbatim from the hearing record where available.