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Legislators press OMB on corrections shortfall, overtime and temporary borrowing from other projects
Summary
Representatives pressed OMB about a $20M DOC request and why prior legislative reductions ( ~$13M) now require restoration; OMB cited contractual rules, overtime rate differentials and limited operational flexibility — members also questioned temporary borrowing of $10M from Village Safe Water to meet disaster obligations.
Representative Bynum opened questioning after OMB described the DOC request, asking why a large FY26 supplemental appears to have become an ongoing FY27 ask: "You had mentioned this Department of Corrections 20,000,000... If I'm misunderstanding that, please correct me."
Director Lacey Sanders responded that the legislature had previously passed a budget that left the department short, citing two specific reductions: approximately $6.8 million tied to an un‑funded letter of agreement and $7.5 million associated with the closure of a Spring Creek unit. Sanders said those cuts created "an over $13,000,000 hole" and that ongoing overtime needs — driven by coverage rules and higher paid staff filling in for lower‑paid positions — have increased costs beyond base funding.
Members repeatedly sought clarity on whether agencies were managing within appropriations, with Representative Ballard saying, "The overtime comment worries me," and urging stricter controls so departments do not repeatedly return for supplementals. Sanders said OMB and agency leadership are working on projections and that some agencies (notably corrections and the courts) have limited operational options because they must maintain custody and statutory obligations.
Representative Jimmy pressed OMB on a temporary cash maneuver, asking how borrowing $10 million from a Village Safe Water capital project would affect communities lacking running water; Sanders said the administration had worked with the Department of Environmental Conservation and that projects not ready to spend would be used temporarily without delaying work when payments are required.
The exchange underscored tensions between policy choices (what the legislature funds or trims) and operational realities inside agencies. No formal actions were taken at the hearing; members asked OMB for additional backup materials and historical budget trends for corrections to inform upcoming subcommittee work.
