Corrections requests large FY2027 capital package, seeks debt service for Hutchinson replacement

Nicole Rincher, fiscal analyst with Legislative Research, presented the Kansas Department of Corrections capital improvement report, describing a FY2026 revised estimate of $24 million (including $7.3M SGF) and a FY2027 request of $58.3M (including $46.1M SGF). Rincher highlighted requests for facility rehab and repair, Kansas Correctional Industries projects and a $5.8M SGF request to convert a former KCI showroom at Topeka Correctional Facility into a 40‑bed work‑release unit.

Rincher said the agency included a $34.5M SGF enhancement request in FY2027 for debt service related to replacing the Hutchinson Correctional Facility central unit, and she cited a Kansas Development Finance Authority estimate that debt service for a 20‑year bond could total $690,700,000 in principal and interest across phases. "Replacement of the central unit would be classified as phase 1," she said, and the agency anticipates multiple phases with bonding authority sought in subsequent years.

Committee members asked whether items were in the current budget or enhancement requests; Rincher said some rehab and repair funding is part of the agency base, while other items are enhancements. The presentation included a note that the Athena information system bond will be paid off in October 2026 and that related debt-service payments are projected at $3.3M SGF in FY26 and $1.7M SGF in FY27. No committee vote occurred.