The University of Alaska Board of Regents unanimously adopted the Fiscal Year ‘18 capital budget appropriation for facility maintenance projects at a special meeting last week, bringing the FY18 budget process to a close.
The university’s total FY18 facility maintenance investment is around $45 million — $5 million from the capital budget and around $40 million allocated from the university’s operating budget.
The board has repeatedly emphasized the importance of reducing the deferred maintenance backlog, and this year requested $50 million from the Legislature in an effort to address nearly $1 billion in deferred maintenance needs.
UA President Jim Johnsen expressed appreciation for the funding, but described the $5 million capital appropriation as underwhelming, saying, “I understand that the state is in a tough spot, but it is a disappointment given the great needs that we have and the commitment that the regents have made to this important priority.”
The University of Alaska owns and maintains more than 400 buildings around the state, totaling nearly 8 million gross square feet. The average age of UA’s facilities is around 32 years. The deferred maintenance investment will be used to address critical projects across the state.
Image at top: UAF Northwest Campus in Nome. Photo: KNOM.
