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OMB presents capital requests including forensic lab, ERP modernization and troop projects
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Summary
OMB told the committee the FY27 bond bill seeks funding for capital priorities including $60M toward a new forensic science facility at the Emily P. Bissell campus, continued courthouse and troop projects, and a multi-year ERP modernization totalling about $130.5M.
Director Brian Maxwell and Facilities Director Jennifer Coverdale walked the committee through OMB's FY27 capital requests, tying investments to operational needs and completed projects.
The presentation highlighted recently completed projects—Troop 6 in Wilmington, the Sussex County Family Courthouse and a consolidated DNREC laboratory in Smyrna—and asked for continued funding to maintain momentum. Major FY27 requests included an MCI appropriation for statewide deferred maintenance ($10 million), school construction allocations ($157.4 million identified for construction and renovations), and $60 million toward a new forensic science facility at the former Emily P. Bissell campus. Maxwell said demolition permit applications are submitted and bidding is expected in summer 2026 with construction starting late 2026 and projected completion in 2028; OMB anticipates an additional $38 million request in FY28 to fully fund the project.
OMB also described plans for ERP modernization to replace legacy payroll, pension and financial systems, with anticipated total funding of about $130.5 million that would include software, an independent verification/validation partner and an implementation partner. The request aims to address end-of-life systems and reduce operational downtime.
Other capital items in the FY27 request included continued investment in the Leonard L. Williams Justice Center (elevator modernization and central utility plant completion), $6 million for the Carvel State Office Building, roof and remediation projects and a fourth year of a lease for replacement mobile computers for local law enforcement patrol vehicles.
Why it matters: The forensic lab and ERP investments are multi-year, high-cost projects that OMB said are critical to operational capacity (forensics turnaround; payroll/financial stability). The committee asked about funding schedules and the rationale for spacing large appropriations across fiscal years to avoid idle cash and to align expenditures with project timelines.
OMB staff offered to provide additional details and scheduling data as the bond-bill markup proceeds.
