Fiscal 2009 will be the peak funding year for the current defense Base Realignment and Closure round if Congress agrees to the Dept. of Defense’s budget request. Tina Jonas, DOD under secretary and comptroller, told a Senate appropriations subcommittee on April 24 the $21.2-billion military construction request, up 19% from 2008 spending, includes $9.1 billion for the latest BRAC round. Beyond the $21.2 billion, DOD seeks $3.2 billion for family housing, a 10% hike from this year.

Wayne Arny, a DOD deputy under secretary, told the panel the BRAC round’s 2006-2011 cost now is estimated at $33.2 billion, up from the initial $22.5-billion estimate. He said most of the rise is from construction inflation. DOD also added spending for Washington-area hospital projects.