Commission to seek roughly $1.65 million in general funds to cover operating shortfall

The commission voted to finalize a decision package to the governor asking for general funds to cover personnel and central-service costs, Executive Secretary Amanda Benton said. "We are submitting this request based on our fiscal projections that show our operating account being negative early in fiscal year 2028," Benton said.

Benton told commissioners the recurring request totals roughly $1,650,000 per fiscal year and that staff and the budget analyst would finalize the fiscal summary before submitting the packet on Monday. Chair Doug Moore said commissioners would work to solicit support from legislators but cautioned there had been no commitments from meetings with state lawmakers. The package will be filed with the governor's office and the commission plans outreach to secure backing if the governor's office accepts the submission.

Commissioners discussed timing and agreed to circulate the final packet to review any needed corrections before Monday. No formal vote on a funding appropriation occurred at the meeting; the action at this session was to finalize and send the decision package for executive consideration.