State Controlling Board approves slate of agency requests; two items pass over objection

The State Controlling Board approved a package of requests from state agencies during its meeting, approving minutes and moving through dozens of items ranging from university capital allocations to cybersecurity planning funds.

The board approved the meeting minutes and a motion to adopt all non‑held items, moved by Senator Ingram and seconded by Representative Stewart. Items approved without recorded objection included Kent State’s capital transfer, a Miami University single‑source waiver for digital speed signs, multiple Department of Development housing grants and coordinator allocations, and purchases for the Ohio Expositions Commission and Ohio Department of Public Safety.

Two items passed with recorded objections. Item 35 (Ohio Department of Transportation) — a chassis replacement and retrofit of a high‑tech data‑collection vehicle — carried a recorded objection from Senator Kaler. Item 49 (Department of Job and Family Services) — a two‑phase cybersecurity request with $750,000 for an initial risk assessment and up to $2.5 million in FY27 to operationalize recommendations — was approved with Senator Kahler recorded as objecting.

Several members asked procedural and budgetary questions during the meeting. Senators and representatives pressed agencies on competitive procurement processes, vendor selection, geographic distribution of housing funds and the timeline and scope of multi‑year programs. Agencies generally responded that existing contracts, state term contracts or program design drove current requests, and in some cases promised follow‑up information or future bidding processes.

The board adjourned after approving all agenda items and handling announced holds.

Approved actions at a glance: minutes (approved); omnibus motion to approve non‑held items (approved); item 6 (Kent State, approved); item 10 (Miami University, approved); item 18 (Dept. of Agriculture / Ohio Grape Industries Committee, approved); items 23–25 (Dept. of Development housing trust fund allocations, approved); item 35 (ODOT chassis replacement, approved — Senator Kaler objected); item 36 (Dept. of Public Safety stickers/printers, approved); item 40 (Dept. of Education & Workforce contract amendment/transition, approved); item 46 (Ohio Expositions Commission shuttles, approved); item 49 (ODJFS cybersecurity assessment and funding authorization, approved — Senator Kahler objected); item 51 (Ohio Facilities Construction Commission planning services, approved).