MINUTES OF THE meeting
of the
Assembly Committee on Ways and Means
AND THE
Senate Committee on Finance
JOINT Subcommittee on Higher Education/CIP
Seventy-Second Session
May 13, 2003
The Assembly Committee on Ways and Means and the Senate Committee on Finance, Joint Subcommittee on Higher Education/CIP, was called to order at 7:50 a.m., on Tuesday, May 13, 2003. Chairman Morse Arberry Jr. presided in Room 3137 of the Legislative Building, Carson City, Nevada. Exhibit A is the Agenda. Exhibit B is the Guest List. All exhibits are available and on file at the Research Library of the Legislative Counsel Bureau.
Assembly COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT:
Mr. Morse Arberry Jr., Chairman
Ms. Chris Giunchigliani, Vice Chairwoman
Mr. Walter Andonov
Mrs. Dawn Gibbons
Mr. David Goldwater
Senate COMMITTEE MEMBERS PRESENT:
Senator William J. Raggio, Chairman
Senator Raymond D. Rawson, Vice Chairman
Senator Bernice Mathews
COMMITTEE MEMBERS ABSENT:
Mr. Richard Perkins (excused)
Senator Barbara Cegavske (excused)
STAFF MEMBERS PRESENT:
Mark Stevens, Assembly Fiscal Analyst
Gary Ghiggeri, Senate Fiscal Analyst
Rick Combs, Deputy Fiscal Analyst
Connie Davis, Committee Secretary
Carol Thomsen, Committee Secretary
BUDGET CLOSINGS
Rick Combs, Deputy Fiscal Analyst, Fiscal Analysis Division, Legislative Counsel Bureau, apprised the Subcommittee there were five budget accounts to be closed and all the accounts had been heard on February 28, 2003.
DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATION
BUILDINGS & GROUNDS (710-1349)
EXECUTIVE BUDGET PAGE ADMIN-59
The closing issues in this account, explained Mr. Combs, included a rental rate increase for state-owned space that was increasing from $1.04 in the current fiscal year to approximately $1.14 and $1.15 in each of the next two fiscal years. The Executive Budget only recommended one rental rate for the biennium, whereas currently there was a different rate depending on the security coverage for each of the buildings. The Buildings and Grounds Division indicated that because security costs made up approximately 11 percent of the total rental rate, the separate rates did not seem to be warranted, which was why separation of rates had been discontinued.
Mr. Combs advised the rates recommended in The Executive Budget appeared to staff to be necessary to fund an adequate reserve for the account. If the Subcommittee had a desire to reduce the rental rates, he believed the only way to do so would be to significantly reduce the maintenance and renovation projects that were recommended in decision unit E‑730. The Subcommittee should note that a majority of those projects were approved last session, but had to be deferred due to some increased costs for utilities as well as contract maintenance services during FY2002 and FY2003.
There was a new category, Mr. Combs explained, that had been discussed as a possibility for this account and was a category for Buildings and Grounds maintenance expenditures. The contract maintenance services and janitorial services comprised approximately 75 percent of the expenditures in the operating category for this account. He asked the Buildings and Grounds Division if they would be willing to consider the creation of a separate category to track those contract costs, and they indicated they would prefer that, if a separate category were created, all of the building maintenance costs be included. The closing documents reflected the creation of the new category 12, and would better enable the Division to track the costs that were directly attributable to maintaining state facilities and the Division’s operating expenses would remain in category 04.
Mr. Combs disclosed funding had been requested in E-730 for maintenance and renovation projects. He provided information to the members that itemized the recommended renovation projects. Mr. Combs had reviewed the list and there did not appear to be any duplication in the 2003 Capital Improvement Program (CIP), and all the items were reasonably related to routine maintenance needs. Again, most of the projects were approved by the 2001 Legislature, but were deferred due to the increased operating and utility costs.
The other closing issues included decision units M-200 through M-205, which were the new buildings that were being added to the Buildings and Grounds Division’s inventory. The Division would be collecting rent on those buildings and taking care of maintenance and other associated expenditures in the upcoming biennium. Some of the buildings already housed state employees, but were not online during the base year, and needed to be added to the budget.
Mr. Combs indicated that staff had consulted with the Buildings and Grounds Division and, based on a reevaluation of the actual FY2002 utility costs, staff had adjusted those costs slightly. Electrical and garbage disposal costs were increased slightly, while the natural gas and water costs were decreased slightly. The adjustments recommended by staff resulted in an additional expenditure of $6,500 in the first year of the biennium and $12,000 in the second year of the biennium.
Decision unit E-275 recommended approximately $2,500 in the first year and $1,500 in the second year for additional training. The Division had indicated that two employees would attend heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) controls, energy management, fire alarm maintenance and operation, and real estate and property management courses during the biennium. Based on the information provided by the Buildings and Grounds Division, that recommendation appeared reasonable. Mr. Combs said decision unit E-605 recommended the elimination of a Water Treatment Operator and a Maintenance Repair Specialist position. Those were positions that had been vacant for some time. The administrator indicated the Division would be able to maintain the current space and the new facilities without the positions that had been recommended for elimination and, based on that response, the recommendation appeared reasonable.
Mr. Combs continued that decision units E-710 and E-720 recommended funding for new and replacement equipment. Decision unit E-710 recommended $9,800 in each year for the purchase of a Walker Mower and E-720 recommended approximately $5,400 in the first year for the purchase of a balometer, a high efficiency particulate arresting (HEPA) vacuum, and attachments for a Walker Mower; and $1,200 in FY2005 for a backflow tester. Those recommendations also appeared reasonable, said Mr. Combs.
Senator Raggio asked for a definition of a Walker Mower and why it cost $9,800. Mike Meizel, Chief, Buildings and Grounds Division, explained this was a rider mower and was able to maneuver close to shrubs and trees. In response to Senator Raggio’s question about why it was called a Walker Mower, Mr. Meizel explained it was a brand name.
Mr. Combs indicated the technical adjustments in this account included an increase in special services revenue of $39,594 in the first year and $44,323 in the second year. Those figures were based on the amount generated by the .5 percent lease assessments charged to state agencies. The contract services cost in general ledger (GL) 7060 were reduced by $47,147 in the base budget based on the removal of certain one-time maintenance project costs. Certain one-time maintenance project costs were left in, which Mr. Combs considered a one-time cost, but he wanted to provide some ability for the Buildings and Grounds Division to adjust inflationary increases in the next biennium, so those amounts were left in the budget.
Expenditures for rental equipment were reduced by $4,140 in each year of the biennium based on a discussion with the Division, and Mr. Combs explained the expenditure levels were higher in FY2002 than was normally the case. Expenditures for operating lease costs for copy machines in Las Vegas and Carson City were reduced by $737 in each year of the biennium, based on information provided by the Buildings and Grounds Division.
Mr. Combs concluded that the basic issues before the Subcommittee were the rental rate increase, creation of the new category for maintenance expenditures, and the funding requested for the renovation projects in E-730.
SENATOR RAGGIO MOVED TO CLOSE THE BUDGET AS RECOMMENDED BY STAFF.
THE MOTION WAS SECONDED BY ASSEMBLYWOMAN GIUNCHIGLIANI.
THE MOTION CARRIED. (Assemblywoman Gibbons, Assemblyman Perkins, and Senator Cegavske were absent at the time of the vote.)
BUDGET CLOSED.
* * * * *
CLEAR CREEK YOUTH CENTER (101-1353)
EXECUTIVE BUDGET PAGE ADMIN-73
Mr. Combs advised, as was typical with this budget, a small account had a big issue associated with it. Decision unit E-605 recommended the elimination of the Clear Creek director’s position as a budget reduction measure. Technically, the elimination was based upon some indecision as to what would be done with the facility in the upcoming biennium. At the hearing of February 28, 2003, it was indicated that negotiations were ongoing with the Future Farmers of America to take over the responsibility for the operation and maintenance of the facility. Since then, the Clear Creek Youth Center had indicated the Governor had directed the Division to begin the process of preparing the property for sale. An appraisal of the facility was being performed at the current time, but was not ready at this point, and may not be ready before the end of the session. The Subcommittee should note the property could not be sold without the approval of the Legislature, or the Interim Finance Committee if the Legislature was not in session. Also, added Mr. Combs, the property could not be sold for less than its appraised value. If the property were sold by June 30, 2003, then the budget for this account would no longer be required, and could reduce the General Fund appropriation required for this account could be reduced by approximately $62,000 in each year of the biennium.
The only remaining position for the youth center was currently vacant and the Clear Creek Youth Center did not intend to fill the position unless there was a delay in selling the property. If there were a delay, the funding in The Executive Budget would likely be needed to maintain the facility until it could be sold. There were basically two options, explained Mr. Combs. If the Subcommittee did not want to commit at this time to support the sale of the facility, the budget could be closed as recommended by the Governor. In the event the Executive Branch accepted an offer to buy the facility, the Interim Finance Committee would have the opportunity to review the details of that proposed sale when it was presented for approval.
Mr. Combs advised if the Subcommittee wished to support the concept of soliciting offers for the property, it would be possible to eliminate all but $100 of the funding recommended by the Governor for the second year of the biennium. Leaving a General Fund appropriation in the second year would be advisable in case there was a delay of longer than a year in selling the property. If there was a delay, the Clear Creek Youth Center would have the ability to come before the Interim Finance Committee to ask for additional funds to maintain the property until the sale was completed in the second year.
Senator Rawson indicated he did not want to delay action by the Subcommittee, but he would like to express his view that he did not want to sell the Clear Creek Youth Center. The Legislature had protected the facility for a long time and, although it was a bit of a white elephant and drained some cash, in the future it should be a special use state park, but the Division of State Parks did not want the facility because there was not enough money to run the center. He suggested that the Legislature should deal with the problem when they could and, in the meantime, it should be preserved in state hands. Senator Rawson reiterated he did not want the state to lose this property as when it was gone, it could not be replaced.
Chairman Arberry agreed with Senator Rawson and echoed his sentiments. A master plan should be put together to determine when and how the property should be handled but, in the meantime, the Chairman felt the state should keep the property.
Senator Rawson suggested the director position be replaced and the budget closed as recommended by the Governor. This was not an overwhelming budget and was doable. Chairman Arberry agreed something must be done.
As a point of clarification, Mr. Combs said currently in The Executive Budget there was a maintenance position, which was basically all that was recommended. If the director position were added back into the budget, although Mr. Combs did not have the numbers, the General Fund appropriation would probably double for the account. If one position was available when the budget was closed with the Governor’s recommendation, that position, with help from other people in the Clear Creek Youth Center, could maintain the facility, Mr. Combs suggested. Additionally, if the Subcommittee was really interested in putting forward the opinion that the property should not be sold, possibly a Letter of Intent would be in order.
SENATOR RAWSON MOVED TO APPROVE THE BUDGET AS RECOMMENDED BY THE GOVERNOR, WITH THE MAINTENANCE POSITION. ALSO, A LETTER OF INTENT BE ISSUED THAT THIS PROPERTY NOT BE DISPOSED OF.
THE MOTION WAS SECONDED BY SENATOR MATHEWS.
Senator Raggio indicated he did not disagree with saving Clear Creek because there was potential, but the state had never been willing to commit the funding to keep the facility maintained. If the Subcommittee wanted to make this decision, they must be prepared to get the camp into shape and even before it became a state park, to utilize it more. The state must be able to fund this camp and provide the necessary maintenance, security, and upkeep. The idea sounded good, but there was no action. This camp was in a great location and had great potential, and Senator Raggio agreed with Senator Rawson that if the property was to be sold, it would never be regained.
Chairman Arberry agreed and said the Public Works Board or another agency could create a master plan. It would be interesting to see what it would cost to get the camp into shape where it could be used more often. Senator Raggio proposed that some funding be put into developing a plan. Chairman Arberry asked Dan O’Brien, Manager, State Public Works Board (SPWB), how much money would be needed to improve this site.
Mr. O’Brien responded that an inspection of the entire facility would have to be performed as there was approximately $1.6 million worth of life safety upgrades that had been approved in the 2001 Capital Improvement Program. This was an extensive amount, but over the next year or the biennium, a report could be prepared for the Legislature.
Mr. Combs added that last interim the Commission on Tourism conducted a study of converting the camp into a state park facility. He indicated that Mike Meizel, Chief, Buildings and Grounds Division, might be able to describe for the subcommittee the results of that study and indicate why the study was not acted upon.
Mr. Meizel indicated there was a study done by the Commission on Tourism on the use of Clear Creek, and the study had almost the same recommendations of what State Parks had wanted to do with the facility. The facility would be attended by a composite of youth groups and adult groups and the camp would need a lot of fixing up, for example, building tennis courts, swimming pools, and refurbishing the buildings. Mr. Meizel thought that although this was a great idea, there had to be money to do the work. It had been indicated the money could come in at some point in time, but the study also recommended that staff be hired by State Parks to run the facility. The Commission on Tourism did a fairly exhaustive study of the camp over a year’s time, but they really did not think they could undertake the project. While it was a good idea, Mr. Meizel said the project did not go anywhere for lack of funding.
Ms. Giunchigliani asked if any of the Question 1 monies were available for this project. This was the funding provided for state parks, conservation, and such other things. Mr. Meizel stated he did not know if those funds would be available because no one had indicated that to him. He suggested that the Department of Conservation be consulted. Ms. Giunchigliani commented there had been some money available for parks and for conservation, and suggested that the matter be looked into.
Mr. Meizel recalled Mr. O’Brien’s comment about the 2001 CIP project that included over $1 million for life safety projects. Those items would include concrete repair, roof and flooring work, fire alarm systems, and things of that nature. Those types of repairs could really bring the site up to what it should be at this point, but it would not enhance the facility in any way.
Chairman Arberry asked how much money the Subcommittee would like to commit to the project, possibly $500,000, and asked Mr. Meizel for his opinion. Mr. Meizel suggested that if the life safety dollars were used and there was some additional money, that timetable would bring it close to a year or more to take care of those projects. At that point, if the state wanted to take the property, the state should look into the project in some depth to make a recommendation as to what should be done. It would be fairly sizeable money; however, he could not make a recommendation on funding that could be set aside for now. Chairman Arberry asked if Mr. Meizel could return next week with a recommended figure. Mr. Meizel responded he would do his best.
THE MOTION CARRIED. (Assemblyman Perkins and Senator Cegavske were absent at the time of the vote.)
BUDGET CLOSED.
* * * * *
MARLETTE LAKE (712-1366)
EXECUTIVE BUDGET PAGE ADMIN-77
Mr. Combs explained this budget was not heard in Subcommittee, and the only closing issue was decision unit E-720, which was $17,000 in the first year of the biennium for the purchase of two snowmobiles. The Buildings and Grounds Division would use those snowmobiles to make trips to the water tanks to check water flow and make sure all the equipment was working properly during the winter. The Division had provided staff with an estimate from a vendor in Carson City and, based on information provided by the Division, the recommendation appeared reasonable and staff would recommend the budget be closed as the Governor recommended.
SENATOR RAGGIO MOVED TO APPROVE THE BUDGET AS RECOMMENDED BY THE GOVERNOR.
SENATOR RAWSON SECONDED THE MOTION.
THE MOTION CARRIED. (Assemblyman Perkins and Senator Cegavske were absent at the time of the vote.)
BUDGET CLOSED.
* * * * *
PUBLIC WORKS ADMINISTRATION (101-1560)
EXECUTIVE BUDGET PAGE ADMIN-81
Mr. Combs stated this account was funded through the General Fund. The only significant closing issue in this account was a discussion that begun last session regarding the continuation of the Facility Condition Analysis Program, including an evaluation of whether the program was doing what it was originally designed to do – audit the state buildings for needed repairs and maintenance.
At the joint subcommittee hearing on February 28, the members asked staff to determine the benefits of the program and whether the number of positions administering the program could be reduced as an alternate to funding the program at its current level. Mr. Combs indicated the program was used to identify issues that would avoid premature equipment failure, to identify life safety concerns to develop a basis for property values for insurance purposes, and to identify possible energy retrofit projects. Also, the program was being used to develop a building operations and maintenance standards program, and included in part of that program was a training program being conducted by the State Public Works Board (SPWB), with agency staff, on how to maintain HVAC and other types of systems for use.
Mr. Combs continued and said that approximately 50 percent of the maintenance projects and 60 percent of the statewide projects recommended in the Governor’s 2003 CIP were recommended as part of a facility condition analysis report. The SPWB had provided an estimate that approximately $20 million could be saved each year, once all the initial audits had been completed. As indicated, there were three positions, an administrative support position, a position that had expertise in architectural and code issues, and a position with an engineering background, and the SPWB had indicated those were the three areas of expertise needed to run this program effectively. Based on the Board’s response, staff believed it would be difficult to administer the program in an efficient manner if the current staff was reduced to less than three positions, because either the engineering or architectural expertise would be lost, or the administrative position that was responsible for preparing reports and otherwise administering the program would need to be eliminated.
Mr. Combs said he could not support the claim on the information received at this point that the program had the potential to save $20 million per year; however, it was likely the program could reduce maintenance costs and prevent the premature failure of building equipment. He indicated that if the Subcommittee wished to continue the program in the base budget, he would advise directing the SPWB to continue to develop performance measures for the program and to direct that those performance indicators be included in their budget request for the next biennium.
With reference to the other closing items, Mr. Combs called attention to decision unit E-277 that recommended approximately $1,700 for each year of the biennium for the costs of the manager and deputy manager to obtain continuing education credits. As the members recalled, during the budget hearing, it was indicated that staff recommended that this not be approved based on the fact that continuing education was not provided for other state agencies.
Decision unit E-300 recommended $7,509 in FY2004 and $914 in FY2005 for office and information services equipment for the Facility Condition Analysis Program. Decision unit E-710 recommended $4,700 in the first year and $2,000 in the second year for replacement computer hardware and software. The request had been reduced by $140, for the reduced cost of two digital cameras recommended in decision unit E-300. With that adjustment, the recommendations for those two decision units appeared reasonable.
Mr. Combs continued that E-900 recommended the transfer of an Administrative Assistant position from the Inspection account to this account and decision units E-901 and E-902 recommended the transfer of two Administrative Assistant positions from Budget Account 1562, Public Works Inspection, to this account. Based on the descriptions of the job duties of the positions that had been provided by the SPWB, Mr. Combs indicated the transfers appeared reasonable.
Duplicative expenditures for board and commission salaries totaling $1,920 in each fiscal year were eliminated in the base budget and travel expenditures for SPWB members of $1,050 were transferred from the in-state travel category to the board and commission category. Duplicative expenditures totaling approximately $2,700 each year for printing and copying Facility Condition Analysis reports were eliminated in the base budget. Additionally, the costs for printing the CIP binders in the second year of the biennium were reduced by $547, based on the costs for printing the 2003 binders.
Mr. Combs added that one-time telephone expenditures totaling $34 in each year were eliminated and copy machine lease costs were reduced by $318, based on information provided by the SPWB. Also, expenditures for state-owned building rent were reduced based on an updated allocation of the cost for state-owned rent between this account and Budget Account 1562.
SENATOR RAGGIO MOVED TO CLOSE THIS BUDGET WITH THE ADJUSTMENTS RECOMMENDED BY STAFF AND THE CONTINUATION OF THE FACILITY CONDITION ANALYSIS PROGRAM. HE WOULD LIKE TO SEE SOME PERFORMANCE INDICATORS ON THE PROGRAM AND WITH THAT IN MIND, HE INCLUDED IN THE MOTION THE ISSUANCE OF A LETTER OF INTENT REGARDING THAT ISSUE.
ASSEMBLYWOMAN GIUNCHIGLIANI SECONDED THE MOTION.
Ms. Giunchigliani referred to the Facility Condition Analysis Program and asked what percentage of the facilities had been audited. She thought approximately 20 percent, but Mr. Combs added that it was closer to one-half, which was confirmed by Gus Nunez, Deputy Manger, Professional Services, State Public Works Board (SPWB). Of those facilities audited, probably 30 percent had been done last year. Once the program had been staffed, the number of audits had certainly picked up to the level that was anticipated when the program was originally approved in 1997.
Ms. Giunchigliani concluded that over this biennium the audits should be completed and as Senator Raggio said, the SPWB should return with an actual plan for ensuring that can be identified. She asked whether all new buildings would be designed for energy and water efficiency, or whether that was part of the program. Mr. O’Brien confirmed this was a program currently underway by the SPWB. The issue of outside landscaping conservation was a little newer. The solar energy aspect had not been used because initially that was an additional cost. Ms. Giunchigliani interjected that what was spent on the front-end was realized on the back. There were areas in the state where solar energy, geothermal, and other energy sources could be utilized. She asked that when state facilities were audited, those conservation issues should be reviewed for potential action in the future.
Mr. O’Brien wanted to ensure the members knew that the audit of state facilities did not include the University System. It was hoped that all other state buildings would be inspected in the next biennium. Mr. O’Brien understood the University System was going through a process of their own to evaluate their buildings. However, the SPWB had made a commitment to audit all the state-owned buildings.
Senator Raggio wanted to ensure that his motion included the staff recommendation that decision unit E-277 not be funded.
Chairman Arberry referred to Mr. O’Brien’s statement about using desert landscaping and asked that some lawn be included in the plans.
THE MOTION CARRIED. (Assemblyman Perkins and Senator Cegavske were absent at the time of the vote.)
BUDGET CLOSED.
* * * * *
PUBLIC WORKS INSPECTION (401-1562)
EXECUTIVE BUDGET PAGE ADMIN-87
Mr. Combs said this was the State Public Works Board’s inspection account that was funded primarily through a transfer of management inspection fees from the CIP projects. The first closing issue was the increased revenue from sources other than project management inspection fees. Decision units E-275, E-276, and E-277 all increased other sources of funding to support the account. Decision unit E‑275 allotted $35,000 in each fiscal year for performing inspections of facilities the state was considering leasing for state agencies and determining whether or not the Americans with Disability Act (ADA) requirements were met in those facilities.
Decision unit E-276 was $50,000 each year of the biennium for increased architectural and engineering fees for in-house design work. Additionally, Mr. Combs advised E-277 was $163,300 in each fiscal year for increased plan review fees. Staff had indicated the ADA compliance inspections would appear to be reasonable as long as the SPWB remained focused on their main task, that being the completion of the CIP projects. When this issue was discussed with the Division of Buildings and Grounds, they indicated they preferred the work performed by the SPWB as opposed to the people they had been able to find outside state government.
Mr. Combs said some amount had been budgeted in the past to allow the SPWB to do in-house designs on smaller maintenance projects and $50,000 appeared to be a reasonable amount to budget for architecture and engineering fees for the next biennium. However, Mr. Combs said he had spoken to the SPWB and would not recommend approval of the additional amounts for the plan review fees. The base budget currently included $136,670 in each fiscal year for plan review fees and it was indicated in a response from the Board that they would have to evaluate whether they would be able to do more plan reviews. The SPWB would have to evaluate its workload after the budget and CIP was approved. The primary reason those funds were put in the budget was, at one point during the budget process, it was considered this would be a very small CIP project and that turned out to not be the case. Although it was smaller than it had been in previous years, said Mr. Combs, it was not tremendously smaller than it had been in the past.
Based on the fact that staff would recommend the SPWB needed to focus on the issue of getting the CIP projects completed, Mr. Combs did not recommend an effort to do more plan checking in-house but continue to contract out those services. The closing actions presented to the Subcommittee reflected that recommendation.
Mr. Combs indicated the second issue was the position transfer from the Administrative Services Division, E-903. This was an Accounting Assistant I position, and was a position that had been transferred last session from the SPWB to the Administrative Services Division. The SPWB had indicated the position’s duties would include contract and bid administration and the input of accounting information into the Board’s database. The General Government Joint Subcommittee approved the position transfer when they closed the Administrative Services Division account.
Regarding other closing issues, Mr. Combs said decision unit E-278 requested additional state-owned building space. Staff had reduced the recommended funding by $1,050 in the first year and $6,148 in the second year, which was based on a revised allocation of cost between the two budget accounts for the SPWB, as well as the removal of some expenses for storage space that was not going to be used next biennium.
Mr. Combs advised that decision unit E-280 recommended approximately $4,400 in each year of the biennium for vehicle operation costs. Staff had reduced the expenditures for personal vehicle usage reimbursement by the same amount. Therefore, if the SPWB received the surplus vehicles, they should be able to save the amount of the costs of maintaining those vehicles in their in-state travel category for reimbursing employees who used their own vehicles.
Decision unit E-300 recommended $3,968 in the first year, and $2,884 in the second year for the cost to upgrade a copy machine and for computer hardware upgrades and new software. Mr. Combs pointed out he had decreased the copy machine rental costs by $116 each year. The decision unit also included $36,000 in the second year of the biennium for the purchase of new code books and related publications based on the SPWB’s intent to switch from the Uniform Building Code to the International Building Code. The Board had provided staff with a list of the publications that would be purchased and indicated the expenditure was a one-time expense. The Board would need to update their code books in the future, but that was not something that happened on an annual basis, so the expense would always appear in a decision unit as the books were updated.
Mr. Combs continued and stated that E-605 eliminated a Building Construction Inspector III position because it was vacant longer than six months. The SPWB indicated during the meeting of February 28, they did not need the position at the current time. Decision units E-710 and E-720 recommended funding for new and replacement equipment and computer hardware and software. Mr. Combs noted that the narrative for E-720 indicated it was for the purchase of a T-1 communication line, but that was not the case. The funding in E-720 was for office and field equipment for the inspectors, a new telephone system for the Board’s Las Vegas office, and surveying equipment. Additionally, there was funding for laptop computers and digital cameras for use by the Board’s inspectors. Mr. Combs indicated he had reduced the amount recommended for small equipment items by $929 in the first year of the biennium, which brought the expenditures in line with the FY2002 actual expenditures. The expenditures were reduced in the base budget, but had been added back in this decision unit. The recommendations appeared to be reasonable.
Mr. Combs called attention to decision units E-900 through E-902 that were basically the position transfers approved by the Subcommittee when the previous budget was just closed.
With reference to the technical adjustments, Mr. Combs said there were only two -- personnel expenditures were reduced by $702 in each fiscal year to ensure that fringe adjustments matched the amounts recommended in decision unit M‑300. The other adjustment was a one-time expenditure for temporary staff and moving costs for a total of $2,238 in each fiscal year that were eliminated in the base budget.
SENATOR RAGGIO MOVED APPROVAL OF THIS BUDGET WITH STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS AND SPECIFICALLY TO ELIMINATE DECISION UNIT E-277. SENATOR RAGGIO OFFERED A SPECIAL THANK YOU AS PART OF THE MOTION TO MR. COMBS FOR THE AMOUNT OF WORK EXPENDED ON THESE BUDGETS.
ASSEMBLYWOMAN GIUNCHIGLIANI SECONDED THE MOTION.
THE MOTION CARRIED. (Assemblyman Perkins and Senator Cegavske were absent at the time of the vote.)
BUDGET CLOSED.
* * * * *
As there was no further business before the Subcommittee, the Chairman adjourned the meeting at 8:30 a.m.
RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED:
Reba Coombs
Transcribing Secretary
APPROVED BY:
Assemblyman Morse Arberry Jr., Chairman
DATE:
Senator William J. Raggio, Chairman
DATE: