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Controlling Board approves lease to expand Secretary of State office despite member questions about cost
Summary
The State Controlling Board approved a Department of Administrative Services lease that consolidates parts of the Secretary of State’s office and provides hearings space; board members asked for documentation showing prior rent and whether the new lease will cost more than the previous building.
COLUMBUS — The State Controlling Board approved a Department of Administrative Services lease on Oct. 20 that the Secretary of State’s Office says will consolidate several teams, provide hearings space and accommodate future growth in the Office of Election Integrity.
Leslie Pyatt, chief financial officer for the Secretary of State’s Office, told the board the lease includes a basement conference room intended for hearings and that the request lists the office’s current rent as $736,450. “We’re requesting an increase this year of $68,000,” Pyatt said, “so that is going to be a total of $814,112 as an annual rent.”
Representative Sweeney and Representative Stewart pressed agency representatives for more detail about how many employees the space will house and why the state did not reuse prior space. Pyatt said the office is still finalizing staff projections and that the estimate could be “up to 10 people at some point,” a rough figure contingent on caseloads. She also said the move is intended to consolidate teams that are currently spread across floors and to make the office more collaborative.
Ally Buccello, speaking for the Department of Administrative Services, said DAS will follow up with additional documentation when asked for the identity of prior tenants and a comparison of past and projected costs. The board approved the lease request by voice vote.
What members asked for Board members asked the Secretary of State’s Office and DAS to provide documentation of the prior rent and a comparative cost analysis to clarify whether the lease raises or lowers the state’s overall rent burden for the office. No amendment or deferral was made.
