Commerce seeks HVAC and roof repairs at workforce centers; utilities paid from rent income

Jacob Crespi, fiscal analyst, presented the Joint Committee’s report on Department of Commerce capital improvements for workforce centers, highlighting a $250,000 Topeka Workforce Center HVAC and boiler replacement request (an increase of $120,000 over the prior amount) and a $100,000 roof repair request for the Garden City Workforce Center in FY2027.

Crespi provided a project cost breakdown for the Topeka HVAC project—$220,000 for construction, $14,000 for architect/engineer fees and $16,000 contingency—and said the agency included the increase in budgets advanced through House Appropriations and Senate Ways and Means. When asked who pays utility bills for workforce centers, Commerce’s Mike Bean said utilities, operational and capital costs are paid through rent income the department collects at those locations; he added energy savings could be redirected to future capital needs such as elevator replacement.

The committee accepted the report and asked several clarifying questions about project cost estimates and building age; no formal action was taken.