State Building Commission unanimously approves broad bond authorizations and multiple facility projects

The State Building Commission met in Madison on Aug. 7, 2024, and unanimously approved several debt measures and project authorizations affecting state buildings, higher-education campuses and state parks.

The Commission approved a debt authorizing resolution that grants state agencies new debt authority (up to $25,250,000 new and continuation of previously approved authority up to $624,371,167) and separately authorized up to $307,390,000 in general obligation new-money bonds to fund construction, improvements, grants and land acquisition statewide. Commissioners also approved refunding authorizations: up to $500,000,000 in general obligation refunding bonds and up to $150,000,000 in Environmental Improvement Fund revenue refunding bonds.

Why this matters: the authorizations permit state agencies to enter contracts and begin projects that will be funded by subsequent bond issuances, enabling capital projects and potential interest-cost management through refunding activity.

The Commission also approved a long series of project requests and property actions brought by state agencies and the University of Wisconsin System. Highlights include:

- A DOA request (on behalf of the Department of Veterans Affairs) to purchase properties at 22 and 30 W. Mifflin Street in Madison for $9,000,000 SEG REV (the acquisition was enumerated in 2023 Wisconsin Act 19) and approval to proceed with negotiations and closing costs.

- Multiple University of Wisconsin System authorizations, including UW–Green Bay’s Cofrin Technology and Education Center at a revised estimate of $101,715,000, release of $31,528,000 for central plant and utility distribution renovations systemwide, and program-level releases for minor facilities, instructional space and a package of campus maintenance projects.

- Department of Corrections maintenance and repair projects totaling $13,749,000 (including window replacements, camera upgrades and other facility upgrades) and Department of Health Services envelope repair projects totaling $13,836,900 SEG REV.

- State park infrastructure approvals, including Hartman Creek ($2,384,300 total cost) and Pattison State Park ($1,498,600 total cost) toilet/shower and vault replacements, and a Grantsburg Ranger Station replacement ($4,527,400 CON SEGB).

- Approvals for smaller land/lease actions and maintenance work, including a DOA easement at John C. Burke Correctional Center to Alliant Energy for $500 and a 20-year DOT lease in Deerfield for roughly $30,000 in initial annual costs.

All motions reported in the record were moved and seconded by named commissioners or representatives and carried unanimously. Official tallies recorded in the minutes show final votes generally as 8-0-0 for Commission actions; several subcommittee notations show a 4-0-0 subcommittee approval prior to full Commission action.

Votes at a glance (selected items): - Minutes of May 22, 2024: Approved (motion moved by Senator Joan Ballweg; seconded by Senator André Jacque). Vote: 8-0-0. - Resolution 4 (debt authorizing resolution; new/continued agency debt authority up to $649,621,167 combined): Approved. Vote: 8-0-0. - Resolution 5 (General Obligation New Money Authorizing Resolution — up to $307,390,000): Approved. Vote: 8-0-0. - Resolution 6 (General Obligation Refunding Authorizing — up to $500,000,000): Approved. Vote: 8-0-0. - Resolution 7 (Environmental Improvement Fund Revenue Refunding — up to $150,000,000): Approved. Vote: 8-0-0. - DOA / DOC easement at John C. Burke Correctional Center (Alliant Energy): Approved. Vote: 8-0-0. - DOA / DMA land purchase (185 N. Trenton Rd., West Bend): Approved. Vote: 8-0-0. - DOA purchase of 22 & 30 W. Mifflin St., Madison (DVA): Approved. Vote: 8-0-0. - Multiple DOC, DHS, DNR, DMA and UW System project authorizations and budget releases (see minutes): Approved. Vote: 8-0-0. - Small Projects Program release ($25,000,000 SEG REV and $3,000,000 DNR Stewardship): Approved. Vote: 8-0-0.

What the Commission did not do: The minutes show unanimous approval on each listed item; no items were tabled, amended on the record, or failed. The minutes also note that the written minutes are subject to ratification at the next State Building Commission meeting.

Speakers and attributions in the record: The minutes record motions moved and seconded by commissioners and representatives (for example, Senator Joan Ballweg, Senator André Jacque, Senator Brad Pfaff, Representative Jill Billings, Representative Rob Swearingen, Representative Robert Wittke) and the Secretary, Naomi De Mers, prepared and submitted the minutes. The meeting was called to order by Governor Tony Evers.

Next steps: With authorization granted, agencies may proceed to execute contracts, release funds as enumerated by prior Acts when applicable, and move forward with procurement and construction processes. The minutes close with adjournment at 3:07 p.m. and note the minutes are subject to ratification at the next meeting.

(Official minutes submitted by Naomi De Mers, Secretary.)