Aug. 25 – 26, 1999 Commission Meeting Agenda
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Annual Public Hearing
 

Finance Committee

Wednesday, 9:00 a.m., August 25, 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. FY 2000 Operating and Capital Budgets
Staff: Andrew Sansom, Jayna Burgdorf
4
3. Texas Parks and Wildlife Investment Policy
Staff: Melanie Callahan 		10
4. Grants:
- Local Park Funding,
- Boat Ramp Funding,
- National Recreational Trail Fund, Grants (Statewide),
- Target Range Program
Staff: Bob Cook 		5
6
7
8
5. Reciprocal Licenses
Staff: Ken Kurzawski 		12
6. Other Business  

Summary of Minutes
Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission
Finance Committee
June 2, 1999

BE IT REMEMBERED that heretofore on the 2nd day of June 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 3:35 p.m., to-wit:

I. FINANCE COMMITTEE:

Dick Heath, Chair
Lee M. Bass
Ernest Angelo, Jr. (absent)
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 April 14, 1999 meeting. The motion was moved by Commissioner Carol Dinkins and seconded by 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

Ms. Jayna Burgdorf will present a briefing on updated financial information, the results of the 76th Legislative Appropriations process, and a preliminary look at the FY2000 Operating, Capital and Grant budget requests.

2. BRIEFING - Financial Review/Legislative Update

Presenter: Ms. Jayna Burgdorf

Account 9 Game, Fish, and Water Safety comparisons showed that license revenue is up $750,000 compared to prior year. To date, 97% of expected revenue for the year has been collected. An adjustment to increase available balances in the amount of $2 million was recommended. Boat registration and titling is down $285,000 compared to prior year. This is primarily attributed to registrations being valid for two years, causing an every other year cycle. The original projection of $14 million was recommended for an adjustment to $13.6 million.

Account 64, State Parks, September through May shows no significant difference from prior year. Memorial Day occurred earlier in FY98 than in FY99. Current reports do not reflect the revenue collected that critical weekend. An adjustment of a $1 million increase to original estimate was recommended.

Texas Parks and Wildlife received an additional $63 million for the upcoming biennium. This included the following: $15 million for park operations; $2.5 million for landowner priorities; $10 million for outreach grants, urban space, transfer authority, and indoor park projects; $ 6 million for capital projects; $16.3 million in general obligation bond authorization for conservation education projects; $12 million for employee pay raises; and $0.5 million for the Law Enforcement environmental crime unit (a joint project with TNRRC).

The cap for full-time equivalents was annualized. This action will help to meet the summer hiring peak for state parks.

The Legislature has asked that an analysis of a dedicated revenue stream for this agency be conducted during the Sunset process. Historically, the sporting good sales tax has been difficult to estimate, whereas the boat and boat motor sales and use tax is clearly estimated by the Comptroller.

Texas Parks and Wildlife did not receive the entrepreneurial rider, which gave the agency appropriation authority for additional earned revenue. There is enough appropriation authority to cover our needs for this year and the next year. If there are any entrepreneurial ventures that significantly increase their earnings, we may be limited as to how much of that revenue we can spend. This does not affect donations or federal grants.

FY 2000 budgets are prioritized using 95% budgeting and follow established salary to equipment and operating ratios. Budget requests include the legislative initiatives previously discussed. Additional budget information will be provided at the June 21st Budget Workshop.

3. ACTION - Sale of Lists

Presenter: Ms. Judi Doran

Ms. Doran requested the adoption of an administrative rule regarding the sale of lists. This would offer reduced charges for non-profits, selling of names for research purposes, and requests by citizens for small numbers of names to be provided at cost. The proposed changes were published in the Texas Register, and the Department received no comments. Therefore, staff recommended that the changes to Section 53.353 be adopted.

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

V. OTHER BUSINESS:

BRIEFING - Big Time Texas Hunts

Presenters: Ms. Lydia Saldaña and Dr. Gary Graham

Ms. Saldaña and Mr. Graham presented an overview of upcoming Grand Slam, Exotic Safari and several new Big Time Texas hunts. Advertising for these hunts will be through direct mailing. Preliminary estimates indicate up to 70,000 chances could be sold, for an estimated $700,000 in gross revenue.

VI. ADJOURNMENT - Commissioner Dick Heath adjourned the finance committee. (4:20pm)

Committee Agenda Item No. 1
Presenter: Andrew Sansom

Finance Committee
Briefing
Chairman's Charges
August 1999

(This item will be an oral presentation.)

Committee Agenda Item No. 2
Presenters: Andrew Sansom, Jayna Burgdorf

Finance Committee
Action
FY 2000 Operating and Capital Budgets
August 1999

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

Committee Agenda Item No. 3
Presenter: Tim Hogsett

Finance Committee
Action
Texas Parks and Wildlife Investment Policy
August 1999

(This is Public Hearing Agenda Item No. 10.)

Committee Agenda Item No. 4
Presenter: Tim Hogsett

Finance Committee
Action
Grants
August 1999

I. Discussion: Staff will present an overview of all grant programs administered by the Department. In addition, staff will review funding recommendations for $6,828,158 to 15 applicants for the Local Park grant program; $564,970 to 3 applicants for the Boat Ramps grant program; $2,072,130 to 41 projects to the National Recreational Trail Fund Grant program; and $100,000 to 2 applicants for the Target Range program.

Committee Agenda Item No. 5
Presenter: Ken Kurzawski

Finance Committee
Action
Reciprocal Fishing Agreements and Fishing Rules
August 1999

(This is Public Hearing Agenda Item No. 12.)

 


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