EGLE budget official outlines timing constraints; Council urged to move recommendations earlier

Travis Bosco, EGLE’s senior deputy for finance and administration, told the Water Use Advisory Council that the best way to influence the state’s FY27 executive budget is to align Council recommendations with department and governor’s office deadlines well before the January presentation of the governor’s budget.

Bosco explained the internal calendar: divisions consolidate proposals in August, EGLE submits requests to the state budget office by mid‑October, and the governor’s executive recommendation is typically presented in January. "The second the governor presents the budget recommendation, my job changes drastically," Bosco said, describing his role as an advocate for the governor’s proposal during legislative negotiations.

Why it matters: Council recommendations submitted late in the cycle face structural barriers to being elevated into the governor’s package. Bosco advised stakeholders that moving recommendations up—producing concise two‑page action summaries and targeted outreach to appropriation committee chairs—improves the likelihood of funding consideration.

Council members discussed practical steps: producing short executive summaries focused on funding needs, coordinating stakeholder outreach to legislative budget chairs, and seeking earlier engagement so recommendations can be considered in the next budget cycle rather than a year later. The body also discussed whether the Council should request an in‑person briefing to accompany the biannual report when it is submitted to legislators.

What’s next: Members asked staff to consider shifting the timing of the Council’s recommendations and to develop concise materials for appropriation staff and legislators. Bosco offered to advise on when and how stakeholders should engage EGLE and legislative budget chairs.