Finance Committee

Wednesday, 9:00 a.m., Jan. 20, 1999

Commission Hearing Room
4200 Smith School Road
Austin, TX 78744
Item
No.
Subject Public Hearing
Agenda Item No.
  Approval of the Committee Minutes from the previous meeting.  
  Summary of Minutes  
1. Chairman's Charges (Oral Presentation) Committee Only
2. Financial Review
Staff: Jayna Burgdorf
Committee Only
3. Local Park Funding
Staff: Andrew Sansom, Tim Hogsett
2
4. Boat Ramp Funding
Staff: Tim Hogsett
3
5. Indoor Recreation Grants
Staff: Tim Hogsett
4
6. Other Business  

Summary of Minutes
Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission

Finance Committee

November 4, 1998

BE IT REMEMBERED that heretofore on the 4th day of November 1998, there came to be heard matters under the regulatory authority of the Parks and Wildlife Commission of Texas, in the commission hearing room of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Headquarters complex, Austin, Travis County, Texas beginning at 9:38 a.m., to-wit:

I. FINANCE COMMITTEE:
Dick Heath, Chair
Mickey Burleson
Nolan Ryan
Lee M. Bass
Ernest Angelo, Jr.
John Avila, Jr. (absent/partial)
Ray Clymer
Susan Howard-Chrane (absent)
Carol Dinkins
II. OPENING STATEMENT:

Commissioner Dick Heath called the meeting to order. The opening statement was read into the record by Executive Director Andrew Sansom.

III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES:

Commissioner Dick Heath asked for a motion to approve the minutes from the August 26, 1998 meeting. The motion was moved by Commissioner Ray Clymer and seconded by Commissioner Carol Dinkins. The motion passed unanimously.

IV. THE FOLLOWING ITEMS WERE PRESENTED TO THE COMMITTEE:

1. BRIEFING - Chairman's Charges

Presenter: Andrew Sansom

Mr. Sansom stated that the report by the state auditors on the state park management will be heard as the meeting progresses.

2. BRIEFING - First Quarter Financial Review

Presenter: Jayna Burgdorf

Account 9 Game, Fish, and Water Safety comparisons showed the following. As of October 31, approximately two months into the fiscal year, license revenue is down almost $500,000 compared to last year. The difference should be primarily related to the opening day of deer season, which falls on a different weekend in 1998. Boat registration and titling revenue is lower compared to prior year, however the difference is not significant.

Account 64, State Park comparisons show that September through October, our revenue was down almost 5%.

Ms. Burgdorf also stated that the Texas Grand Slam sales were up 63 percent as compared to last year. The number of chances purchased were 17,000, which is 6,600 over prior year. (These figures were not for comparable periods due to the previous year having a tighter deadline timeframe.) The most effective marketing tool appears to be direct mail to super combo purchasers.

3. BRIEFING - State Park Management Audit

Presenter: Mr. Larry Alwin and Mr. Charlie Hrncir

The state auditors discussed the ongoing positive relationship between their office and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department. Finance Committee Chair, Commissioner Dick Heath, echoed those thoughts and explained the actions we have taken related to audits, such as the reallocation of resources including personnel and the no-new-park policy.

4. ACTION - State Parks Passport Regulations

Presenter: Ms. Lisa Fitzgerald

Ms. Fitzgerald explained that the current parklands passport program provides free or discounted entry to Texas State parks for eligible senior citizens and veterans with service-related disabilities. The passage of Senate bill 991 by the 75th legislature modified the parklands passport program to include provisions for individuals with physical or mental impairment. The legislation also required the Commission to establish eligibility requirements and privileges for the new provision.

The proposed eligibility requirements called for individuals to have been medically determined to have a permanent disability and that they be currently receiving Social Security benefits. The proposed rule was published in the Texas Register for public review and comment, and one favorable comment has been received. Fiscal impact from the change is expected to be minimal.

The motion was moved by Commissioner Ernest Angelo, Jr., and seconded by Commissioner Nolan Ryan. The motion passed unanimously and was recommended for the consent agenda.

5. ACTION - Vendor's Protest Rules

Presenter: Ms. Judy Doran

Ms. Doran explained that at the August Commission meeting, this committee and the Commission as a whole approved proposed rules that will allow vendors to protest bidding procedures should they want to. The rules are required by the Texas Government Code. The rules must be consistent with the General Services Commission rules for vendor=s protest. These rules are consistent with the General Services rules and were published in the Texas Register on October 2. No comments were received on the rules.

The motion was moved by Commissioner Nolan Ryan and seconded by Commissioner Ray Clymer. The motion passed unanimously and was recommended for the consent agenda.

V. ADJOURNMENT - Commissioner Dick Heath adjourned the committee.


Committee Agenda Item No. 1
Presenter: Andrew Sansom

Finance Committee
Briefing
Chairman's Charges
January 1999

(This item will be an oral presentation.)


Committee Agenda Item No. 2
Presenter: Jayna Burgdorf

Finance Committee
Briefing
Financial Review
January 1999

I. DISCUSSION: Staff will present a financial review for year to date of FY99, including an update on Account 9, Game, Fish and Water Safety and Account 64, State Parks. This presentation will focus on the sale of hunting and fishing licenses, boat registration and titling fees, and state park fees.


Committee Agenda Item No. 3
Presenters: Andrew Sansom, Tim Hogsett

Finance Committee
Action
Local Park Funding
January 1999

(This is Public Hearing Agenda Item No. 2.)


Committee Agenda Item No. 4
Presenter: Tim Hogsett

Finance Committee
Action
Boat Ramp Funding
January 1999

(This is Public Hearing Agenda Item No. 3.)


Committee Agenda Item No. 5
Presenter: Tim Hogsett

Finance Committee
Action
Indoor Recreation Grants
January 1999

(This is Public Hearing Agenda Item No. 4.)


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