Committee questions Department of Community Supervision over rising rents and office consolidations
March 11, 2026 | Appropriations, SENATE, Committees, Legislative, Georgia
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Chair opened the Appropriations committee hearing and asked agencies to be clear about changes to the house budget and to explain any new additions. Scott Mauer, chief of staff for the Department of Community Supervision, told the committee that three circuit offices (West Georgia, Ogeechee and Mountain circuits) face substantial rent increases and that the agency is requesting approximately $726,194 to cover projected escalations and build-out costs. "This request is to address projected rent increases in 3 of our around 15 offices," Mauer said, adding that some increases reflect lease renegotiations and, in one West Georgia case, a landlord unwilling to renew.
Mauer said the agency is exploring consolidation where feasible. In circuits with multiple offices, DCS looks to merge sites during renegotiation cycles; in one Mountain Circuit office, planned road widening by the Department of Transportation prevents lease renewal. He noted DCS has closed 55 offices since inception and 40 since FY20 at a reported cost savings of about $1.2 million, but that opportunities for further consolidation are increasingly limited.
Committee members pressed whether grant-funded programming offsets office operating costs. Mauer said grant-funded day reporting centers are "100% grant funded" for staffing and that the grants primarily pay staff salaries rather than lease or facility costs. Lawmakers asked whether grant reductions would force higher state support; Mauer said grants cover program staff but not broader facility obligations.
The chair asked the agency to report timelines and possible locations where consolidations are contemplated. Mauer said some lease expirations are imminent and that negotiations are underway but that no firm consolidation timelines or locations were available yet.
The committee did not take a formal vote; the item remains under review with requests for additional details on consolidation plans and cost offsets.
Mauer said the agency is exploring consolidation where feasible. In circuits with multiple offices, DCS looks to merge sites during renegotiation cycles; in one Mountain Circuit office, planned road widening by the Department of Transportation prevents lease renewal. He noted DCS has closed 55 offices since inception and 40 since FY20 at a reported cost savings of about $1.2 million, but that opportunities for further consolidation are increasingly limited.
Committee members pressed whether grant-funded programming offsets office operating costs. Mauer said grant-funded day reporting centers are "100% grant funded" for staffing and that the grants primarily pay staff salaries rather than lease or facility costs. Lawmakers asked whether grant reductions would force higher state support; Mauer said grants cover program staff but not broader facility obligations.
The chair asked the agency to report timelines and possible locations where consolidations are contemplated. Mauer said some lease expirations are imminent and that negotiations are underway but that no firm consolidation timelines or locations were available yet.
The committee did not take a formal vote; the item remains under review with requests for additional details on consolidation plans and cost offsets.
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