Commissioners set 8% budget offset target and OK up to $10M in ARPA flex to cover FY27 gap

At the April 16 meeting Commissioners directed the Office of Management and Budget to require covered departments to identify potential offsets equal to 8% of their FY‑27 budgets. Director Daniel Ramos explained the 8% target would give the court a menu of options to close an estimated deficit while preserving priority programs. Ramos told the court the 8% figure was selected to provide sufficient optionality as departments prepare their continued‑level‑service submissions.

The court also passed motions to require OMB to review long‑term vacancies and incorporate potential elimination of unfilled positions into offset proposals, and to task OCA and the ARPA steering committee to identify up to $10 million in unspent ARPA flex funds and interest to support the FY‑27 budget. The ARPA option was limited to non‑infrastructure flex funds and the court asked for recommendations at its June 11 meeting. Commissioners emphasized that the offset submissions are options for consideration — not automatic cuts — and that OMB and OCA would provide technical assistance and a full list of savings options.

"We will provide the technical assistance and bring a menu of options," OMB Director Daniel Ramos said, noting fiscal estimates and the goal of preventing service disruptions. The motions passed unanimously.

provenance:{"topicintro":{"block_id_start":"SEG 3118","block_id_end":"SEG 3170","evidence_excerpt":"Direct the office of management and budget to require covered departments to identify 8% of potential budget offsets for consideration in the FY '27 budget process.","reason_code":"topicintro"},"topfinish":{"block_id_start":"SEG 3680","block_id_end":"SEG 3690","evidence_excerpt":"Motion to direct OCA to identify up to $10,000,000 in unspent ARPA flex and interest funds available to support the FY '27 budget... return recommendation 06/11/2026.","reason_code":"topicfinish"}}