Finance Committee

Wednesday, 9:00 a.m., Nov. 17, 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 Overview
Staff: Jayna Burgdorf
Committee Only
3. Artwork Approval
Staff: Frances Stiles
4
4. Implementation of House Bill 1581 – State Park Fee Policy
Staff: Kevin Good
6
5. Texas Outdoor Connection License Point of Sale System
Staff: Jayna Burgdorf
Committee Only
6. Personnel Matters
Staff: Commissioner Heath
Committee Only
7. Other Business  

Summary of Minutes
Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission
Finance Committee

August 25, 1999

BE IT REMEMBERED that heretofore on the 25th day of August 1999, 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 10:05 a.m., to-wit:

1. FINANCE COMMITTEE:

Dick Heath, Chair
Lee M. Bass
Ernest Angelo, Jr.
John Avila, Jr.
Carol E. Dinkins
Alvin L. Henry
Katharine Armstrong Idsal
Nolan Ryan
Mark E. Watson, Jr.
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 June 2, 1999 meeting. The motion was moved by Commissioner John Avila, Jr. and seconded by Commissioner Mark Watson, Jr. The motion passed unanimously.

IV. THE FOLLOWING ITEMS WERE PRESENTED TO THE COMMITTEE:

1. BRIEFING - Chairman=s Charges

Presenter: Mr. Andrew Sansom

Mr. Sansom discussed the passage of House Bill 1906 in the 76th Session that gave the Department the authority to issue conservation license plates. The revenue generated will go toward our conservation programs.

2. BRIEFING B FY00 Operating and Capital budgets

Presenter: Ms. Jayna Burgdorf

Ms. Burgdorf's presentation reviewed the financial forecast for Fiscal Year 2000 and current information on user fees, revenue, and major account balances.

Ms. Burgdorf also explained the 95% budgeting technique and presented a total budget of $256.4 million of which $177 million is for operating, $50.4 million for capital projects and $29 million is for grants. The full-time equivalent (FTE) employee cap for the Department is 2,954 and it has been annualized as a result legislative changes that were addressed in the 76th legislative session. Also passed in the legislative session is an employee pay raise which will be funded through General Revenue.

The motion to approve the budget was moved by Commissioner Mark E. Watson and seconded by Commissioner Katharine Armstrong Idsal. The motion passed unanimously.

3. ACTION B Texas Parks and Wildlife Investment Policy

Presenter: Ms. Melanie Callahan

Ms. Callahan gave a briefing on the Texas Parks and Wildlife Investment Policy. Ms. Callahan stated by statute all Department funds are required to be deposited into the Treasury. Commissioner Dick Heath requested that we look into the issues on control in regards to Operation Game Thief and establish a line of responsibility that would include their reporting to the Commission.

A motion for approval and consideration on the consent agenda was made by Commissioner Katharine Armstrong Idsal and seconded by Commissioner Nolan Ryan. The motion passed unanimously.

4. ACTION B Grants

Presenter: Mr. Robert Cook

Mr. Cook explained how the grant process works and provided the commission with an overview of the proposed grants that would be presented at the Commission meeting on Thursday. The grants are for local parks, boat ramps, national recreational trail and target ranges. Information was shared regarding passage of House Bill 2108. This legislative action provides guidelines for the use of funds to local political subdivisions who may accept the transfer of an existing state park. Mr. Cook also provided background information on other grant programs that Texas Parks and Wildlife is involved with and administers.

A motion for approval and consideration on the consent agenda was made by Commissioner Alvin L. Henry and seconded by Commissioner Nolan Ryan. The motion passed unanimously.

5. ACTION B Reciprocal Licenses

Presenter: Mr. Ken Kurzawski

Mr. Kurzawski requested that Commission authorization be granted to eliminate the exemption for out-of-state seniors, which would result in all seniors being required to have a nonresident license. Another change requested was to have the authority to sell special resident licenses that would contain the bonus red drum tag to those seniors exempt from licensing. These changes were posted in the Texas Register and no comments were received, although over time we have received a number of comments on the reciprocal license agreements

A motion for approval and consideration on the consent agenda was made by Commissioner John Avila, Jr., and seconded by Commissioner Katharine Armstrong Idsal. The motion passed unanimously.

V. ADJOURNMENT

Commissioner Dick Heath adjourned the finance committee.


Committee Agenda Item No. 1
Presenter: Andrew Sansom

Finance Committee
Briefing
Chairman's Charges
November 1999

(This item will be an oral presentation.)


Committee Agenda Item No. 2
Presenter: Jayna Burgdorf

Finance Committee
Briefing
Financial Overview
November 1999

I. DISCUSSION: Staff will present a financial review for year to date FY2000, 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
Presenter: Frances Stiles

Finance Committee
Action
Artwork Approval
November 1999

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


Committee Agenda Item No. 4
Presenter: Kevin Good

Finance Committee
Action
Implementation of House Bill 1581
November 1999

(This is Public Hearing Agenda Item No. 6.)


Committee Agenda Item No. 5
Presenter: Jayna Burgdorf

Finance Committee
Briefing
License Point of Sale System
November 1999

I. DISCUSSION: Staff will present an update regarding the status of the Texas Outdoor Connection, the Texas Parks and Wildlife’s automated license point of sale system. This briefing will include a discussion of current contract issues, the feasibility study process and long term strategies.


Committee Agenda Item No. 6
Presenter: Commissioner Heath

Finance Committee
Briefing
Personnel Matters
November 1999

I. DISCUSSION: The Seventy-sixth Legislature House Bill 1, (General Appropriations Act) authorized the salary of the Executive Director of Texas Parks and Wildlife Department at $115,000. Any increase in salary for the Executive Director must be approved by the Commission in an open public meeting.


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