Legislature(2013 - 2014)HOUSE FINANCE 519
02/07/2014 01:30 PM House FINANCE
| Audio | Topic |
|---|---|
| Start | |
| HB266 || HB267 | |
| Fy 15 Budget Overview: Department of Transportation and Public Facilities | |
| Fy 15 Budget Overview: Department of Public Safety | |
| Adjourn |
* first hearing in first committee of referral
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
+ teleconferenced
= bill was previously heard/scheduled
| += | HB 266 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| += | HB 267 | TELECONFERENCED | |
| + | TELECONFERENCED | ||
| + | TELECONFERENCED |
HOUSE FINANCE COMMITTEE
February 7, 2014
1:33 p.m.
1:33:07 PM
CALL TO ORDER
Co-Chair Austerman called the House Finance Committee
meeting to order at 1:33 p.m.
MEMBERS PRESENT
Representative Alan Austerman, Co-Chair
Representative Mark Neuman, Vice-Chair
Representative Mia Costello
Representative Les Gara
Representative David Guttenberg
Representative Lindsey Holmes
Representative Cathy Munoz
Representative Tammie Wilson
MEMBERS ABSENT
Representative Bill Stoltze, Co-Chair
Representative Bryce Edgmon
Representative Steve Thompson
ALSO PRESENT
Pat Kemp, Commissioner, Department of Transportation and
Public Facilities; Mary Siroky, Director, Division of
Administrative Services, Department of Transportation and
Public Facilities; Jeff Ottesen, Director, Division of
Program Development, Department of Transportation and
Public Facilities; Gary Folger, Commissioner, Department of
Public Safety; Dan Spencer, Director, Division of
Administrative Services, Department of Public Safety.
PRESENT VIA TELECONFERENCE
Colonel Jim Cockrell, Director, Division of Alaska State
Troopers, Department of Public Safety.
SUMMARY
HB 266 APPROP: OPERATING BUDGET/LOANS/FUNDS
HB 266 was HEARD and HELD in committee for
further consideration.
HB 267 APPROP: MENTAL HEALTH BUDGET
HB 267 was HEARD and HELD in committee for
further consideration.
FY 15 BUDGET OVERVIEWS:
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND PUBLIC FACILITIES
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY
HOUSE BILL NO. 266
"An Act making appropriations for the operating and
loan program expenses of state government and for
certain programs, capitalizing funds, and making
reappropriations; making appropriations under art. IX,
sec. 17(c), Constitution of the State of Alaska, from
the constitutional budget reserve fund."
HOUSE BILL NO. 267
"An Act making appropriations for the operating and
capital expenses of the state's integrated
comprehensive mental health program."
1:33:14 PM
Co-Chair Austerman discussed the agenda for the day.
^FY 15 BUDGET OVERVIEW: DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND
PUBLIC FACILITIES
1:34:02 PM
PAT KEMP, COMMISSIONER, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND
PUBLIC FACILITIES (DOT), discussed changes and efficiencies
that had been implemented in the past year. He provided a
PowerPoint presentation titled "Alaska Department of
Transportation and Public Facilities FY 2015 Governor's
Request Overview" (copy on file). He discussed the
executive organization on slide 2. He relayed that the
department worked in up to six "silos"; it had worked hard
to "clear the decks." He discussed his experience at DOT
and his understanding of problems that existed. He recalled
being asked by Governor Parnell to head the department; he
had communicated his ideas about how to move the department
forward in a more efficient way. He shared that his ideas
to effect change included the ability to bring some of the
department's long-term employees into the commissioner's
office to help straighten out inefficiencies. He was amazed
at the progress they had made in a year's time. He had
formed an executive team that worked to steer the
department and provide improved communication with the
legislature; the goal was to take pressure off of regional
directors. He detailed that when regional directors were
asked to do things it directly impacted DOT's ability to
deliver projects and plow roads. He had also created an
executive management team that met once a month and
included regional directors. He likened the executive
management team to running a ship; captains ran ships, but
it was not possible to go anywhere without the engineers.
He referenced the ferry system.
1:37:47 PM
Commissioner Kemp believed the department was going in the
right direction; he was working to bring improvements to
all levels of the organization. He believed the efforts
would result in improvements to the transportation system.
Co-Chair Austerman noted that committee questions would be
held until after the presentation.
Commissioner Kemp discussed 2013 accomplishments on slide
3. Noteworthy accomplishments included routine services and
operations (e.g. plowing roads and building projects). He
detailed that DOT was making a significant reduction in its
deferred maintenance backlog. He referred to a handout
titled "Department of Transportation and Public Facilities
Joint Transportation Committee Meeting" dated January 23,
2014 (copy on file). He shared that pavement rutting was a
substantial problem statewide; in the past Juneau's Egan
Drive had been paved every five years due to wear from
studded tires. Approximately 15 years ago DOT began to use
much harder rock in the pavement in Juneau; it had taken 15
years to bring the harder rock to the remainder of the
state, but it had been accomplished in the current year.
The department had also written a policy that the hard rock
would be incorporated into pavements, primarily in the
Anchorage bowl that had soft rock. He underscored that the
change could save the state tens to hundreds of millions of
dollars over the long-term; saved money would be applied to
the rest of the highway systems needing improvement. He
noted that the in the past year DOT had paved Anchorage's
Dimond Boulevard and Debarr Road with the hard rock mix.
Commissioner Kemp highlighted that DOT had given the
railroad a new market; materials were being sourced in
Alaska instead of from the Lower 48 or Canada. He believed
real efficiencies were taking place. He provided an example
of regulations related to speed limits. He detailed that
Representative Eric Feige had asked about speed limits on
the state's rural National Highway System (NHS) roads.
Subsequently, DOT had identified problems and made changes
in the policy. The department was currently installing
signs that met comfortable driving speeds. He remarked that
the changes were DOT's shining star for the year related to
the governor's goal of undoing unnecessary regulations and
policies.
1:42:14 PM
Commissioner Kemp spoke to the Anchorage airport master
plan, which DOT would wrap up shortly. The master plan
dialed back a plan to create an additional runway. He liked
that the department would maximize everything it could at
the existing facility before considering another runway. He
relayed that someday another runway may be needed, but the
department was currently on a good track. He was proud of
the decision.
Commissioner Kemp turned to slide 4 titled "Where are We
Headed." He believed the new federal highway bill MAP-21
was problematic. He stated that the bill would have an
impact on local community projects and secondary roads
maintained by the department. He explained that MAP-21
focused on NHS roads and took away funding for local roads;
adjustments would need to be made and some communities
would lose as a result of the law. He shared that there was
such a significant backlog that he was not confident the
gap could be filled with state funds due to current revenue
problems. The department would focus on its mission and
essential public services, locate more efficiencies, and
continue to improve communications. He referred to the
department's goal to use "plain talk" instead of acronyms.
Additionally, DOT would continue to make changes that were
sustainable. He noted that he would meet with directors and
section chiefs the following week.
1:44:52 PM
Commissioner Kemp believed DOT was on the right track. He
asked the committee to trust the direction the department
was headed.
MARY SIROKY, DIRECTOR, DIVISION OF ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES,
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND PUBLIC FACILITIES,
addressed the department's mission to "keep Alaska moving
through service and infrastructure" on slide 5. Core
services included the construction of transportation
infrastructure and facilities, maintenance and operations
of the state transportation systems, and measurement
standards/commercial vehicle enforcement. She relayed that
the department's commercial vehicle enforcement program was
responsible for ensuring commercial vehicles were safe
during operation and that loads did not damage the state's
roads. The program had a secondary function of providing
assurance that any measuring devices were accurate (e.g.
measuring jet fuel, baggage at airports, or produce in the
grocery store).
Ms. Siroky highlighted department priorities on slide 6:
· Live within our means
· Take care of what we have
· Operate and maintain safe and reliable roads,
airports, ferries & facilities
· Ensure Alaska has the transportation infrastructure
necessary to grow the economy
· Develop and implement efficiencies in both the
operating and capital budgets
Ms. Siroky referenced the department's statutory
requirements on slide 7 and its assets on slide 8. She
communicated that DOT had over 3,000 full-time positions
and 18 new center line miles of roadway in the current
year. She addressed the department's organization on slide
9. She moved to slide 9 and relayed that the department's
organization had not changed. There were executive teams in
place that provided the commissioner with information. John
Bender was the department's new deputy commissioner for
aviation, who joined the department in December 2013. She
directed attention to challenges facing the department on
slide 10. Challenges included the federal transportation
bill MAP-21, balancing the department's budget against
public needs, changing conditions, and expectations. She
elaborated that the department impacted every citizen in
the state; being able to meet the public's needs at a
specific time could be a challenge. She discussed other
challenges such as congestion in Anchorage traffic, an
increase in federal oversight, and budgeting for the
severity of winters and events. She reported that the
department did not anticipate needing to ask for a
supplemental appropriation for clearing the recent
avalanche that blocked the road to Valdez. She added that
the department did need to balance the severity of winter
against its summer maintenance programs; summer maintenance
programs shrank to absorb increases in winter costs. Over
the long-term DOT's deferred maintenance costs had been
reduced.
1:49:43 PM
Ms. Siroky pointed to slides 11 through 13 that showed
recent images of the runway in Seward and the avalanche in
Thompson Pass. She looked at a map on slide 14 showing the
511 snapshot of driving conditions on the day of the
avalanche. The snapshot indicated a variety of hazardous
driving conditions that the department had been working to
sand and keep as ice-free as possible. The efforts
represented work the department did on a daily basis.
Ms. Siroky turned to slide 15 titled "DOT&PF Regional
Boundaries." The organization was divided into three
regions and two systems, which maintained and operated
roads, airports, and ferries. She noted that the two
systems were the international airport and marine highway
system. Slide 16 pertained to the Central region and budget
resources used in the area. The Central region was
responsible for urban areas including Anchorage, Mat-Su,
the Kenai Peninsula, and Western Alaska; it was comprised
of 651 positions and 20 percent of the department's
operating budget. The region also included traffic signal
maintenance (funding was transferred to the Municipality of
Anchorage for signals it operated), the Whittier Tunnel,
and the Knik Arm Bridge and Toll Authority (KABATA).
1:52:23 PM
Ms. Siroky turned to slide 17 and discussed the Northern
Region that encompassed the highest number of road-miles.
The region housed 718 positions and represented slightly
over 20 percent of the department's operating budget. The
region was responsible for the Dalton Highway and villages
in the Yukon River area up to the North Slope. The
Southeast region was the smallest, which included
communities from Yakutat and everything south (slide 18).
The region provided support to the state's marine highway
system (i.e. terminal design and construction).
Ms. Siroky looked at slide 19 related to the Alaska
International Airport System. The system was made up of 488
positions and had a budget of $82 million from all fund
sources including federal (funds were made up of revenues
brought in from rates and fees); the system accounted for
approximately 13 percent of the budget. She discussed that
the department maintained the Ted Stevens and Fairbanks
International Airports and had airport police and fire
employees. She spoke to the Alaska Marine Highway System on
slide 20. The system was comprised of 935 positions and
accounted for approximately 25 percent of the department's
budget; it brought in over $50 million of its $162 million
budget request via fees and costs. She highlighted
challenges with the system including aging vessels and
requirements to meet US Coast Guard regulations. Slide 21
focused on the department's Measurement Standards and
Commercial Vehicle Enforcement, which included 64 positions
and accounted for approximately 1 percent of the
department's budget.
1:55:02 PM
Ms. Siroky discussed Public Facilities on slide 22, which
was accounted for 0.7 percent of the department's budget.
She discussed that the division employed architects who
were responsible for designing buildings and retrofits;
each region had public facilities and maintenance workers
maintaining the buildings. The Commissioner's Office, and
Administrative Services supported other divisions with
budgeting, finances, information technology, and human
resources. She shared that the Division of Program
Development was focused on capital budget, long range
planning, federal aid agreements, and the highway safety
program; the division accounted for 0.9 percent of the
department's operating budget.
Ms. Siroky addressed the State Equipment Fleet on slide 28
that supported regional construction. The division employed
165 positions, which were primarily mechanic positions. The
Statewide Design and Engineering Services division provided
the policy structure for much of the department's work; it
also housed a bridge design section that conducted bridge
engineering and inspections. Additionally, the division
included a materials lab that helped with measuring road
materials. The Statewide Aviation Division provided
administrative support and was primarily responsible for
aviation leasing; the division accounted for 0.5 percent of
the department's operating budget. She noted that the
division also provided some policy direction related to
aviation issues (slide 28).
Ms. Siroky discussed efficiencies on slide 29. The
department had put ice breakers in place that broke up ice
primarily at intersections. The ice breakers had been
piloted in Fairbanks and the machines had been ordered for
use in Anchorage as well. She communicated that the
breakers provided substantial savings. The department had
determined that the use of anti-icing chemicals prior to a
large snowfall reduced the need for plowing and sand.
Additionally, DOT had implemented a vegetation management
program where herbicides were used to save money on brush
cutting. She mentioned hard aggregate that increased
pavement life. The department had eliminated low-use
equipment and was working to simplify processes. She noted
that DOT had recently held a two-day summit with some of
its engineers to discuss automation, agree on policies and
procedures, and develop recommendations for the department.
1:59:55 PM
Ms. Siroky addressed how the DOT operating budget FY 14
management plan differed from the FY 15 adjusted base on
slide 30. She relayed that like any other department there
had been salary and health insurance increases. She
detailed that some one-time items had been reversed
including payments made under union contracts and some
fiscal notes. The department was transferring the Nome
Office Building to Department of Administration and its
state digital mapping project to the Department of Natural
Resources (DNR). She noted that DNR was better at mapping
than DOT.
Ms. Siroky addressed the operating budget FY 15 adjusted
base compared to the governor's FY 15 request on slide 31.
The department's overall increase was $43,700; DOT had
worked very hard to keep requests limited to items that it
could not absorb. Additional requests included funding for
10 new facilities that had been added in FY 14 and FY 15;
the facilities included snow removal equipment buildings, a
warehouse and sand storage buildings. The department had
eliminated approximately 21 Position Control Numbers (PCN)
for a total of $1.5 million. Additionally, a small
reduction had been made to the highway safety corridor Safe
Driving program (the total equaled funds received from the
Bureau of Highway Patrol associated with drunk driving);
the figure was estimated to be down about $7,000. She
discussed a request for an increase in general funds for
the department's rural airport maintenance contracts and
insurance; DOT had well over 100 contracts with small
operators responsible for plowing rural airports. She
elaborated that the cost of the operations and contracts
continued to increase. She explained that the department
worked diligently to keep the costs as low as possible;
when substantial increases were requested under the request
for proposal (RFP) process, DOT opted to put the RFP back
out for additional bids.
2:03:04 PM
Ms. Siroky continued to highlight items shown on slide 31.
The department paid the Alaska Railroad Corporation for
service on DOT signal crossings; the agreement renewal
showed an increase of $123,000. She addressed a lease cost
accumulated shortfall of approximately $138,000. She
reiterated that the increases listed were those the
department was not able to absorb. She shared that AMHS was
requesting $60,000 for an additional maintenance person to
help care for terminals; AMHS had been able to provide half
of the funds, but needed the remaining funding. The AMHS
also needed a small amount of general funds for a
Bellingham, WA terminal lease increase. The department was
hoping to eventually be out of the building within the next
few years. The last request was for general funds to help
pay the Municipality of Anchorage for its maintenance of
DOT traffic signals.
Ms. Siroky moved to FY 15 operating budget changes on slide
32:
· Salary and Health $1,351.3
· New Initiatives $453.7
· Maintain Current Level of Service $1,110.7
· Deletion of Long-Term Vacant
Positions (15 full-time; 2 part-time;
4 non-perm) ($1,513.0)
· Technical Adjustments ($342.6)
· One Time Items ($1,181.9)
Ms. Siroky elaborated on slide 32. New initiatives were
primarily related to new facilities. The increment to
maintain current level of service pertained to small
requests the department was unable to absorb. Slide 33
included a pie chart depicting DOT's FY 15 operating
budget; its budget was composed of approximately $350
million in general funds, $278 million in other funds, and
$2.8 million in federal funds. Slide 34 included a pie
chart showing FY 15 operating budget fund sources. She
explained that the department paid for capital project work
with capital improvement project (CIP) receipts from the
capital budget. The department had received gas pipeline
funds for the first time in the prior year, which were
shown on the slide. Slide 36 showed how DOT allocated its
general funds. She outlined the expenditures including $160
million on the marine highway system, $140 million on
highways and aviation, and $22 million on maintenance and
operations; the three sectors of the department represented
the people "doing what DOT does" and were the parts of the
department that people interfaced with. Remaining sectors
representing construction funds included administration
support, planning, commercial vehicle enforcement, and
design and engineering.
2:06:43 PM
Ms. Siroky communicated the department's pride in the data
shown on slide 36. She pointed to the graph and noted that
although the growth of all funds was 3.3 percent, the
department had worked hard over the past four years to
stabilize growth. She relayed that DOT was working to keep
its general fund growth at a minimum; however, there was
slow and steady growth going forward. The department had
started to use the 10-year plan to track what it believed
the increased cost of the operating budget would be with
construction projects. She elaborated that DOT was
beginning to track the projected increase for construction
projects coming online; the chart illustrated that the
projections accounted for the slow and steady increase.
2:08:06 PM
JEFF OTTESEN, DIRECTOR, DIVISION OF PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT,
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND PUBLIC FACILITIES,
discussed the capital budget on slide 38. He explained that
DOT separated responsibility for the capital budget from
other funds due to the large size of the budgets. He added
that the capital budget was filled with a multitude of
federal requirements, which necessitated specialists in the
area. Slide 38 included a pie chart showing the FY 15
capital budget request. The majority of the budget was made
up of close to $1 billion in federal funds. He detailed
that the proposed budget was larger than in past years in
an attempt to get out of a trap DOT had been in for several
years. He elaborated that DOT had been busily working in
the last quarter of the year to get the programs out; the
federal funding fell into the "use or lose" category. The
department was concerned that the level of overtime was
jeopardizing staff's desire to stay with DOT; there had
been summers where staff had worked Memorial Day, July
Fourth, and Labor Day. Therefore, the plan was to get some
of the work forward funded for reimbursement from the
federal government the next year. The goal was to level the
workload and eliminate stress. He noted that the
department's general fund request (shown in green) had been
substantially reduced from prior years; it was the lowest
he had seen in several years, which was a reflection of
DOT's understanding of the current difficult fiscal
environment.
Mr. Ottesen turned to slide 39 that showed the department's
capital construction projects measured by dollars spent on
advertising in a calendar year. He noted that DOT had
provided committee members with a copy of its general fund
budget earlier in the week. He relayed that there was up to
a 600 percent variance in the document from one year to the
next; however, the variance was much less on slide 39. He
explained that projects required many steps to complete;
there was a limit to the work that could be done. He
elaborated that despite years of high swings in funding,
the department's output of plan sets for contractors to bid
on, was much more level. He stated that the dollars input
could not match the level of work pushed out the door
without increasing and decreasing staffing levels, which
was not practical.
2:11:45 PM
Ms. Siroky provided a snapshot of performance levels on
slide 40. The top left chart showed a change in traffic
fatalities per 100 million vehicles traveled. She detailed
that although no deaths were acceptable to DOT, it was
proud that the number of highway deaths in FY 13 was at a
10-year low. She detailed that there had been approximately
50 deaths per 100 million vehicles traveled; the reduction
was a result of construction projects; the department
worked to construct safe transportation infrastructure. She
relayed that according to FY 13 numbers, none of the
state's highway safety corridors qualified as highway
safety corridors. She noted that the corridors were a
partnership between DOT and the Department of Public
Safety. The upper right chart related to National Highway
System Miles showed an increase in the number of miles that
met national highway system criteria; the department was
slowly increasing the number over time. The lower left
chart depicted the change in the number of rural airports
that were closed seasonally; DOT was working to decrease
the number by one each year. The airports excluded from the
list were open year-round. There were currently six
airports that were closed seasonally, there were either
significant costs associated with bringing the airport up
to a year-round standard and/or the airport was very small,
which would require a cost-risk analysis. The department
planned that the number of airports on the list would
continue to be reduced by one every two to three years.
2:14:58 PM
Ms. Siroky discussed the final measure on the lower right
of slide 40 related to the AMHS car deck capacity. She
detailed that the department generated significant revenue
from the car deck. She elaborated that the chart provided a
good representation of how the state's boats were being
used for what the department wanted, which was to transport
Alaskan citizens as opposed to tourists. The number had
peaked in 2010, but a steady increase had begun to occur.
She concluded on slides 41 and 42 with DOT information
sources.
Co-Chair Austerman looked at operating budget funding
sources (slide 34). He pointed to CIP that accounted for 24
percent of the department's budget. He wondered how the
department determined how much delegated to each project
from operations. He wondered if the figure was 5 percent of
each project.
Ms. Siroky replied that the department had an indirect cost
allocation plan that it worked through a federal process
for determination, which varied by mode. The department was
authorized by the federal government for road constructions
for approximately 5.7 percent; it had been collecting at
about 4.6 to 4.7 percent. The department felt that it kept
its indirect rate at a modest amount for services provided.
She defined indirect expenses as any costs that were
impacting a capital construction project, but were too
difficult or onerous to charge to the project. She noted
that the department had staff who billed people for capital
project work; having the staff track all of their time for
each individual project would be onerous. The department
did not spend any of its indirect money on maintenance and
operations for any of its facilities, which was clear in
federal guidelines.
2:18:26 PM
Co-Chair Austerman remarked that he had wanted to ensure
that the figure was not 30 to 40 percent like the
University of Alaska. He asked whether an inner island
ferry increment of $500,000 was a recommendation from DOT.
Commissioner Kemp replied in the negative.
Co-Chair Austerman asked about fuel tanks near the Yakutat
airport. He explained that the airport had been told that
it may need to move fuel tanks away from the airport at its
cost. He asked for detail.
Commissioner Kemp did not know. Ms. Siroky added that the
department would follow up with the information.
Co-Chair Austerman elaborated that the airport had been
told by DOT that it would have to move the fuel tanks based
on a Federal Aviation Administration requirement. He asked
the department to provide him with the information.
2:19:29 PM
Representative Guttenberg pointed to an Alaska Railroad
Corporation signal crossing agreement line item on slide
31. He asked if the amount represented an increase and
wondered what the corporation was doing on the issue. He
remarked that he had a problem with the crossings. Ms.
Siroky replied that the increment was related to the
devices maintained by the railroad that allowed state roads
to cross the tracks.
Representative Guttenberg discussed major problems with
railroad crossings in Fairbanks. He detailed that one of
the problems related to the settling out of roadbeds. He
observed that crews reset the beds and raised the road. He
asked who was responsible for the upkeep and whether the
cost was included in the increment on slide 31.
Commissioner Kemp replied in the affirmative. He detailed
that the state roadways crossed railroad right-of-ways;
therefore the state was responsible for keeping the road
meeting the tracks in good shape; the railroad provided the
maintenance and was reimbursed by DOT. He added that the
traffic signals were also a component.
Representative Guttenberg asked who had primacy over the
right-of-way. Commissioner Kemp replied that the railroad
had primacy.
Representative Guttenberg asked if the $15 million
increment for international airport construction bonds was
bonding authority the department was paying off (slide 38).
Commissioner Kemp replied in the affirmative.
Representative Guttenberg asked if there was bonding
authority remaining. Commissioner Kemp replied that the
department would follow up on the question. He added that
DOT did not plan on requesting any additional bonded funds
for some time.
Representative Guttenberg asked about an aggregate interest
rate paid on the bonds. He noted that the department could
follow up with the information. He pointed to slide 39 and
referenced construction projects the department staff could
not keep up with. He asked about how far behind
construction schedules were running.
2:22:22 PM
Commissioner Kemp replied that the problem would cease to
exist in the near future. He explained that currently DOT
was redefining the Statewide Transportation Improvement
Program (STIP) and working to understand the federal MAP-21
changes. His goal for the past year had been to get one
year ahead in the STIP program to relieve the department
stress and to put out better products. The department would
soon be one year ahead. He predicted that within 10 years
it would be 2 to 3 years ahead. He added that there were
many large projects coming to "the pinnacle" at present
(e.g. Seward and Parks Highways, Juneau access, and other).
Representative Guttenberg thanked the department for the
511 that had been helpful on selecting driving routes.
2:23:29 PM
Representative Munoz wondered whether the department had
looked at what it would cost to bring ferry service to
Prince of Wales Island from Ketchikan if the inner island
ferry service was discontinued. Commissioner Kemp replied
that DOT was looking at the issue.
Representative Munoz asked if the Lituya vessel was part of
the review. Commissioner Kemp replied in the negative.
Representative Gara asked about a cost estimate for the
clearing of the avalanche from the Richardson Highway in
Thompson Pass. Ms. Siroky did not have an estimate at
present. She would follow up with the information.
Representative Gara asked about the amount spent from the
general fund on the Juneau Access project the prior year
and in the current year. He believed the road was planned
to end with a ferry terminal. Ms. Siroky did not have the
number. The department would follow up with the data.
Representative Gara asked about the Juneau Access increment
proposed by DOT in the current year. Commissioner Kemp
believed he capital request was $30 million.
Representative Munoz interjected that the legislature
approved $10 million in the prior-year budget; the
governor's proposed budget included $5 million in
undesignated general funds and $30 million in federal
receipt authority.
Representative Gara wondered if the state could choose to
use the $30 million in federal funding on another project.
Commissioner Kemp replied that the $5 million request was
part of the funding plan for Juneau Access; the funding
plan consisted of federal aid and general funds. He
explained that the match for the $30 million would come out
of the match appropriation.
2:26:26 PM
Co-Chair Austerman clarified Representative Gara's
question. Commissioner Kemp replied that the $30 million in
federal funds were not earmarked for the specific project.
Representative Gara asked about the airport expansion in
Anchorage, which the legislature had been told was not
moving forward. He wondered why the airport and the city
had been meeting at least as recently as December on a land
trade task force. He surmised that a task force to trade
land for that expansion was unnecessary if the expansion
was not going ahead.
Commissioner Kemp answered that the municipality was
driving the task force due to its need for a new snow dump
area. He stated that it just happened that that snow dump
area enhanced the department's ability to construct a
runway one day. He believed it was a good working
relationship. He added that the municipality was the lead
agency and DOT was partnering with it.
Representative Gara remarked that he had "one more question
on this runway that is apparently not going ahead; that
concerns me." He relayed that he had friends living in the
area and "their understanding was that they were told when
the airport came by and said we're going to build triple
pane windows for you that that was money that the airport
was spending in anticipation of an expanded runway." He
asked if the state was spending money in anticipation of a
runway that it had not decided to go ahead with, "or was
that for something else?"
Commissioner Kemp replied in the negative.
Representative Gara asked if the expenditures were for
something else. Commissioner Kemp answered that they were
for something else.
2:28:16 PM
Representative Costello pointed to slide 35 and asked for a
breakdown of funding for highways and aviation items shown
in the pie chart. Ms. Siroky replied that approximately 25
percent of the funds went to aviation to maintain the
state's 254 rural airports (consisting of small airports
such as Allakaket and airports other such as Bethel,
Deadhorse, Kodiak, Sitka, Petersburg, and Wrangell that
were 139 certificated by the FAA; there were 17 airports
that fell in the 139 certificated category).
Representative Costello asked for verification that 45
percent of the budget went to the state's marine highway
system, 25 percent went to aviation, and 14 percent went to
highways. Ms. Siroky replied in the negative. She clarified
that the percentage allocated to aviation accounted for 25
percent of the 40 percent portion designated to "Highways
and Aviation."
Representative Costello wondered if the department
regularly assessed how to increase safety on the Seward
Highway. Ms. Siroky replied that the Seward Highway was a
highway safety corridor. The department was working with
the Department of Public Safety on enforcement activities
as well as work with DOT staff to implement various safety
infrastructure. She believed DOT posted a variety of boards
to remind drivers of speed limits. Additionally, she
believed the department had a long-term capital project to
make improvements to the area.
Mr. Ottesen elaborated that DOT had traffic engineers in
all three regions who monitored crash statistics with an
emphasis on major injury and fatality crashes.
Additionally, the engineers worked to devise infrastructure
and non-infrastructure strategies that would reduce the
numbers. He stated that fatalities were currently at the
lowest level since statehood; Alaska was one of the best
states in the country in that regard. He detailed that the
Seward Highway safety corridors would not rank high enough
to qualify as a highway safety corridor at present.
2:32:04 PM
Representative Costello asked how many new miles of road
the state created since 2000. Ms. Siroky replied that she
would follow up with an answer.
Representative Holmes spoke to the transfer of some
facilities from DOT to the Department of Administration.
She noted that there were some similarities between the
departments' work. She noted an interest in working to
determine how to create further efficiencies.
2:33:33 PM
AT EASE
2:35:01 PM
RECONVENED
^FY 15 BUDGET OVERVIEW: DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY
2:35:01 PM
GARY FOLGER, COMMISSIONER, DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY,
introduced his staff.
DAN SPENCER, DIRECTOR, DIVISION OF ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES,
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY (DPS), introduced additional
department staff. He provided a PowerPoint presentation
titled "Department of Public Safety Department Overview"
dated February 7, 2014 (copy on file). He began with slide
2 titled "Department of Public Safety":
Our Mission
To ensure public safety and enforce fish and wildlife
laws
Our Core Services
• Law Enforcement Patrol and Investigations
• Rural Law Enforcement
• Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Programs
• Statewide Public Safety Programs
• Resource Protection
• Highway Safety
2:36:59 PM
Mr. Spencer continued with slide 3: "Organizational Chart."
He relayed that the command structure of the organizational
chart had not changed from the prior year. He noted that a
few components had been consolidated into one program. He
detailed slide 4: "Statewide Impact." He discussed the
department's role as the primary statewide law enforcement
agency; DPS provided assistance to local and federal law
enforcement agencies and to other agencies such as school
districts. He referred to DPS resources including the
Alaska Public Safety Information Network (APSIN), various
criminal background checks, and sex offender registries.
Mr. Spencer explained slide 5: "Alaska State Troopers." He
detailed that the Alaska State Troopers and Wildlife
Troopers had a variety of detachments headquartered around
the state. State trooper detachments included the Alaska
Bureau of Investigations and the Statewide Drug and Alcohol
Enforcement Unit [other units included the Village Public
Safety Officer (VPSO) program office, and Judicial
Services]. Wildlife trooper sections included detachments,
the Wildlife Investigations Unit, Marine Section, and
Aircraft Section.
2:38:05 PM
Mr. Spencer continued with slide 7: "Statewide Services."
The Statewide Services group was included in a new
component called Information Technology; it included APSIN,
security guard licensing information, and the sex offender
registry. He detailed that currently there were 3,131
individuals on the sex offender and child kidnapper
registry; at present there were 132 individuals who were
not in compliance, which could occur for a variety of
reasons. There were currently 7,390 active concealed
handgun permits; 2,242 were exempt.
Mr. Spencer looked at slide 8 related to fire and life
safety. The state fire marshal conducted building plan
reviews, worked with fire departments around the state, and
had a smaller operation with the Joint Pipeline Office.
Slide 9 pertained to the new Scientific Crime Detection
Laboratory. He believed the lab was a "great and wonderful"
entity; the lab had allowed the state to bring in a
significant amount of equipment that would not have been
feasible in the prior facility.
Mr. Spencer addressed the Division of Administrative
Services on slide 11. He referred to the division as the
division of bureaucracy. He highlighted the Council on
Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault (CDVSA), which had
been one of the governor's ongoing priorities. The Alaska
Police Standards Council dealt with the certification of
police and correctional officers around the state. The
Alaska Fire Standards Council worked with local fire
departments and was responsible for setting training
standards.
2:40:40 PM
Mr. Spencer discussed the FY 15 operating budget on slide
12. He relayed that the total difference in unrestricted
general funds versus the adjusted base was $130,000. The
restricted general funds were about $100,000 higher than
the adjusted base. He detailed that the department
accounted for approximately 3.5 percent of total agency
operations general fund expenditures. Slide 13 showed the
operating budget by organization; the Alaska State Troopers
accounted for 51 percent of the budget, Alaska Wildlife
Troopers represented 14.2 percent, the VPSO program had
grown to 10.2 percent, and CDVSA had grown to 8.6 percent.
The remaining programs represented much smaller increments,
but remained essential to the agency.
Mr. Spencer looked at the budget by line item on slide 14.
He relayed that similar to most agencies, DPS services were
delivered by people; therefore, personal services accounted
for the largest segment of the department's budget [56
percent]. Grants and benefits included funding for items
such as domestic violence shelters and village public
safety programs run by nonprofits around the state. He
looked at the total number of DPS positions on slide 15:
· 885 Permanent Full Time
· 18 Permanent Part Time
· 21 Nonpermanent
· 341 Alaska State Troopers
· 97 Alaska Wildlife Troopers
· 59 Court Services Officers
· Positions in 50 locations around the state
Mr. Spencer elaborated that DPS was in 50 locations
depending on the time of year. Slide 16 included a
Legislative Finance Division chart showing a change in
budget over the years. The chart on slide 17 had also been
prepared by the Legislative Finance Division; it showed the
percent of the total department's budget by fund group. He
pointed out that federal receipts in the department's
budget were the same as the prior year, which was the
lowest level of federal receipts since FY 01. The figure
included CIP receipts coming through the Alaska Highway
Safety Office and the National Marine Fisheries Service
(NMFS) agreement with the wildlife troopers, which was
funded in the capital budget. He relayed that federal
funding had been declining; the department suspected that
the funding would not increase any time soon.
2:44:23 PM
Mr. Spencer looked at current year accomplishments on slide
18. He detailed that the Public Safety Academy Dining Hall
had been completed with funding from a couple of years
earlier; the hall was operated by a contractor that was
responsible for providing and preparing food. He elaborated
that the operation was overseen by Deputy Commissioner
Vrabec. He added that Colonel Jim Cockrell, Director,
Division of Alaska State Troopers was happy with the hall.
He discussed funding from the prior year for the Hooper Bay
post; the positions operated on a two-week on, two-week off
rotation (Selawik and Emmonak also had similar posts). The
post was currently fully staffed. He communicated that
housing and office space was challenging, but the
department worked through the issues. He looked at new
aircraft in service; two helicopters were in service. The
Helo helicopter was originally appropriated in 2012; it had
been temporarily stationed in Anchorage and was currently
stationed in Fairbanks where originally intended. The
replacement helicopter was based in Anchorage. He addressed
domestic violence and sexual assault prevention planning.
Over the past year CDVSA worked with 14 communities on
community prevention plans and continued to work with
grantees and other groups throughout the state. He
referenced a number of outreach programs including Coaching
Boys into Men. He noted that the DPS budget backup included
additional details on the programs. He discussed that
highway fatalities had decreased, especially in highway
safety corridors. He discussed that increasing highway
safety included a combination of construction,
reconstruction, configuration, and enforcement. The
department believed safety efforts were working well.
Mr. Spencer addressed challenges on slide 18. He remarked
that the state's population continued to grow and with the
growth came an increased call for police services, which
was an ongoing challenge. The VPSO recruitment, retention,
and infrastructure continued to be a challenge; there were
fewer VPSO positions filled than the department wanted. The
department was working to improve the number of filled
positions. He noted that improvement had been made; the
program had been successful and there were more officers
than there had been in the past. He referenced that the
prior year the legislature had included intent language in
the budget that validated prior work on the program. He
elaborated that if a program reached year-end and had not
spent all of its allocated funds, it had the ability to
take care of other program needs (e.g. office space
improvements, four-wheelers, firefighting equipment, and
other). Another challenge presented to the department was
the decline in federal grants. In some cases federal funds
had been high at the beginning of a program, but had
declined. For example, the Bureau of Highway Patrol had
been given supplemental funds by the legislature in FY 11
and FY 12 and unrestricted general funds in FY 13 and FY 14
of over $3 million due to a decline in federal funds.
2:48:48 PM
Mr. Spencer continued speaking about challenges. The last
challenge was absorbing cost increases. The prior year the
department had an increase of approximately $160,000 for
dispatchers as a result of a classification study conducted
by the Department of Administration (DOA). Subsequently,
the positions had been reevaluated and classifications had
been increased again; the cost was approximately $320,000
that DPS had not received an appropriation for. He stressed
that the department was not asking for additional funds and
would find a way to absorb the costs. The department
supported the pay increase as it believed the positions had
been underpaid. He believed the increase would support job
retention. He mentioned other increases that had not been
seen over the years. He compared the increases to rising
grocery store costs. He detailed that DPS had operating
funds when it received the helicopter for the Interior, but
over time it would need increased funding as the helicopter
aged. He noted that typically the department had not asked
for large increases over the years; it found a way to
absorb the costs. He referenced additional increases for
supplies and building rent (including rent for buildings
managed by DOA for the Public Building Fund; as personal
service costs increased the money charged to DPS for
maintenance and operations increased as well).
2:51:22 PM
Mr. Spencer looked at performance indicators on slide 19.
He relayed that in the prior year 100 percent of homicides
reported to the Alaska State Troopers had been solved. He
noted that the figure varied from year-to-year, but the
target was to solve all of the cases. He addressed that 87
percent of sexual assault/sexual abuse victims indicated a
positive program impact on their lives due to CDVSA
services. He highlighted statewide public safety programs
and relayed that the prior year had been a high fire-
fatality year with 23 deaths; the five-year average was 17
fatalities, the target was 15. He noted that DPS could help
to influence the number, but could not control it. He
remarked that it only took one or two fires with multiple
victims to increase the number.
Mr. Spencer discussed resource protection, which was
conducted by wildlife troopers. He elaborated that 5.9
percent of wildlife violations detected as a percentage of
total contacts, which was a slight increase over the prior
year. He did not believe 5.9 percent was all that bad; he
did not know the exact target, but it was within the range.
There were 11 DUI fatalities in the prior year, which was
22 percent lower than the previous three-year average. He
remarked that there was no question that the combination of
highway safety corridors, DOT funding, and Bureau of
Highway Patrol enforcement had helped. He added that the
current question related to how to move forward.
Mr. Spencer addressed "FY 15 Significant Increases" on
slide 20. The governor had requested an additional 15 VPSO
positions and $3,078,700 in unrestricted general funds and
a new VPSO Support Trooper position for $349,000. Currently
there were 88 filled VPSO positions versus 121 authorized
positions. The prior year the governor had requested 15 new
positions per year with support troopers for 10 years. The
goal was to get an officer in every village requesting one;
the department continued to work towards the goal. He
addressed why the department was requesting 15 new
positions when the current positions were not filled. He
relayed that the governor had made a commitment and would
honor it. Additionally, the reality of filling positions
was that on August 9, 2013 DPS had submitted a press
release announcing that it had reached 101 positions
employed; subsequently, 13 positions had been lost. The
department did not know why the positions had been vacated;
there were a variety of reasons why the state lost VPSOs.
He relayed that DPS would provide the committee with a copy
of a PowerPoint presentation that addressed the reasons for
VPSOs.
2:56:14 PM
Mr. Spencer stated that over the years DPS had hired more
than 40 VPSOs in a year (slide 20); in other years there
had only been a small net increase due to turnover. He
acknowledged the challenge and stated that the department
would love to increase the number to 121 filled positions.
He remarked that vacant positions did no good. He
elaborated that neither the department nor nonprofits had a
perfect answer for how to fill the positions. He discussed
that years earlier the department had asked for a funding
increase, which had been granted by the legislature.
Additionally, merit increases had been implemented and
equipment had improved; the strategies had worked for a
while, but the number had begun to decline. He relayed that
Alaska State Troopers went through the academy prior to
becoming troopers; it did not work the same way for VPSOs.
He explained that VPSOs acted as law enforcement, health
aides, fire fighters, search and rescue, and other. He
explained that the number of VPSOs could increase by a
significant number at any time. He stated that the ups and
downs of VPSO hire was very different than what was seen
anywhere else in the department. Part of the trouble was
the jobs were influenced by the pressures of working in
very small communities. The department would continue to
ask for the funding increment and would continue to try to
fill the positions.
2:59:20 PM
Mr. Spencer highlighted an increment to fund a forensic
scientist position to provide timely DNA evidence
processing; an existing position would be reclassified and
the requested funding was to fill and keep the position
filled. The goal was to have DNA analysis completed within
45 days; currently there were approximately 23 sexual
assault screening cases waiting. The position would help to
prevent DNA analysis backlogs. He addressed an increment of
$100,000 in general fund program receipts that would
increase law enforcement agency participation in the Alaska
Records Management System (ARMS); the program receipts
would come from local law enforcement agencies wanting to
participate in the program that would provide an electronic
records storage system. He added that the agencies would
pay a per user fee to DPS that would be used to maintain
the system. He shared that in 2008 the legislature had
provide a capital appropriation to build ARMS; the system
was operational and working well.
Mr. Spencer spoke to a grant in the amount of $250,000 to
help children exposed to violence. The increment would
provide counseling, child advocates, and shelter staff
training. An increment totaling $287,500 for maintaining
existing services to domestic violence and sexual assault
victims was aimed at basic shelter costs. The final
increment of $100,000 would go to enhancing fish and
wildlife enforcement. The increment would enable the
department to use confiscated fish receipts (where the
value was forfeited to the state when a person is
convicted) for Bristol Bay enforcement; it would free up
$100,000 currently used in the area that could be used on a
targeted enforcement program for moose and caribou hunting
activities in the Copper River Basin area.
Mr. Spencer relayed that there were also smaller items
included in the budget; the department characterized them
as transfers in and out of general fund program receipts
revenue. He elaborated that DPS had previously had
authority for building plan reviews and a fire marshal; it
had been more than the department needed; therefore, some
of the authority had been transferred to the state troopers
detachments and Statewide Drug Enforcement Unit to use some
"finds and forfeitures" funding and fees for public records
copying to offset the program. He believed the Legislative
Finance Division had characterized the items as increments.
3:03:08 PM
Mr. Spencer addressed significant reductions in FY 15 on
slide 21. He relayed that reductions meant that some
department functions would have to be done differently and
there was risk that some things would not be done as well
as before. Reductions included:
· Disband Alaska Bureau of Highway Patrol and assign
highway patrol duties to AST detachments, ($2,200.0)
GF
· Realign workload to improve efficiency, ($640.3)
· Decommission Patrol Vessel Woldstad, ($500.0)
· Move Patrol Vessel Stimson base of operations to
Kodiak, ($500.0)
· Reduce PFT count, ($110.9)
Mr. Spencer elaborated on the items on slide 21. He
communicated that the department's proposal to disband
Alaska Bureau of Highway Patrol and assign highway patrol
duties to AST detachments was not one it had made lightly.
Additionally, DPS did not know what it would look like at
the end of FY 15. He relayed that over the past four years
several million dollars in general funds had been put into
the program when federal funds had not been sufficient. The
state continued to receive federal funds; DPS had recently
reached a tentative agreement with the Alaska Highway
Safety Office to continue to receive federal monies through
the remainder of FY 14 and the first three months of FY 15.
He explained that previously the department did targeted
highway enforcement during high traffic times (e.g. Fourth
of July, Labor Day, Alaska State Fair, and other) and
officers including troopers and local police had typically
been on overtime. The proposal was to return to this
previous method of highway enforcement. The department
recognized the value of the Bureau of Highway Patrol;
however, it had to make a choice about making cuts in order
to live with a smaller amount of money.
Mr. Spencer continued to discuss the department's proposed
disbandment of the Bureau of Highway Patrol. He relayed
that there were currently 19 uniformed positions assigned
to the bureau including 16 troopers, 1 sergeant, 1
lieutenant, and 1 other. The department planned to release
the positions to the detachments where they were (e.g. the
Fairbanks Bureau of Highway Patrol would go to the
Fairbanks headquarters). He expounded that as the troopers
moved out to other vacant positions within DPS (there were
currently 28 vacancies) the vacated Bureau of Highway
Patrol would be reclassified to civilian positions with the
intent that the reclassified positions would allow troopers
to be on the road more in the long run. He relayed that the
change would save $2.2 million. He did not believe the
total amount would be saved in FY 15. He relayed that the
most money would be saved if the positions were
reclassified to positions responsible for entering report
information. He acknowledged there would be challenges with
the change.
Mr. Spencer relayed that DPS recognized that high
visibility, high impact patrols were a good thing. He
stated that DPS still believed in traffic safety corridors
and enforcement, but he did not know if the services would
be provided at the exact same level. He discussed the
presence of computers in police cars where officers could
enter information. He noted that the $2.2 million reduction
in conjunction with a $640,300 reduction related to the
realignment of workload to increase efficiency both
represented work in progress. The department did not
believe it was providing any unnecessary services at
present and it did not want to lose uniform positions. He
explained that uniform positions could respond to crime
reports whereas civilian positions could not; however, he
stressed the essential nature and cost effectiveness of
civilian positions. He could not predict the ultimate
outcome, but information would be known the following
session.
Mr. Spencer addressed the proposal to save $500,000 with
the decommissioning of the patrol vessel Woldstad. He
referred to a $2.4 million increment provided by the
legislature two years earlier to repower the vessel that
had a unique propulsion system. A marine engineer had
assessed the vessel and had determined that an additional
$1.3 million was needed. He discussed that simultaneously
the wildlife troopers were looking to determine how
fisheries enforcement had changed over the years. The
department proposed the purchase of a 58-foot seiner for
use as an enforcement vessel. The Woldstad was responsible
for the Bristol Bay region; DPS proposed to run the vessel
through the upcoming fishery and sell it after the season
ended. He believed there would be an amendment in the
capital budget to reallocate the repower appropriation to
the purchase of the replacement vessel; the proceeds from
the sale of the Woldstad would be used to outfit the new
vessel. He relayed that wildlife troopers believed the new
vessel would be a better patrol base. He observed that it
would also be easier to maintain over the long-term.
3:12:07 PM
Mr. Spencer highlighted a proposal to move the vessel
Stimson, which patrolled the Aleutians, to Kodiak. He
acknowledged that it would take more time to reach much of
the patrol area from Kodiak; however, its location in the
Dutch Harbor area was expensive. He elaborated that parking
was difficult to come by and parking the boat cost $100,000
annually (not including electricity). The department
estimated that it would save a minimum of $500,000 in FY
15. The department understood that the change could
negatively impact a community; however, as funding became
tighter it was necessary to determine how to do things
better. Lastly, DPS had eliminated a Woldstad boat officer
position for a savings of $110,900; there continued to be
three positions to run the boat over the upcoming year.
3:13:58 PM
Mr. Spencer looked at FY 15 capital projects on slide 22:
· Alaska State Troopers law enforcement equipment
replacement: $500.0 GF
· Alaska Wildlife Troopers law enforcement equipment
replacement: $500.0 GF
· VPSO equipment: $500.0 GF
· Alaska Wildlife Troopers Vessel Repair and
Maintenance: $1,000.0 GF
· Alaska Wildlife Troopers Marine Fisheries Patrols:
$1,200.0 GF
· Statewide Deferred maintenance; $1,350.0 GF
· Statewide Domestic Violence shelter repair,
renovation, and improvements: $1,000.0 GF/$1,000.0
Other
Mr. Spencer expounded on items on slide 22. He noted that
the fourth bullet point related to aircraft and vessel
repair and maintenance. He detailed that the funding did
typically go to some repowering; however, the Woldstad was
an extraordinary case that required more funding. The $1.2
million increment for wildlife trooper marine fisheries
patrols was in anticipation of an agreement with NMFS (the
cooperative agreement had been running for 8 to 10 years);
the actual amount may ultimately differ. He relayed that in
the past a significant amount of the money had run into the
operating budget as CIP receipts; it had also been used by
DPS for "big ticket" items with the agreement of NMFS.
Mr. Spencer spoke to an annual appropriation for statewide
deferred maintenance to keep facilities operating smoothly
(slide 22). He relayed that the department's 80 housing
units statewide and offices in various communities required
significant funds and time (funding included two staff
positions). He highlighted the statewide domestic violence
shelter repair, renovation, and improvements. He noted that
the buildings were not brand new with state of the art
furnaces and other. The department proposed an increment
for $1 million in general funds and $1 million from the
Rasmuson Foundation and possibly other sources to obtain a
professional assessment of the facilities statewide. He
elaborated that the assessment would determine life safety
needs (e.g. the need for a new furnace, new lighting, roof,
door locks, and other); the assessment would create a
statewide catalog of needs and necessary repairs.
Subsequently a priority list would be developed. The
department believed the increments would be beneficial. He
added that how the funds would be dispersed was not known
at present.
3:17:49 PM
Co-Chair Austerman noted that the committee had seen slides
23 and 24 ["Department of Public Safety Continued Budget
Growth Compared to 10-Year Plan (Non-Formula Only) (GF
Only)" and "Department of Public Safety Continued Budget
Growth Compared to 10-Year Plan (Non-Formula Only) (All
Funds)"].
Mr. Spencer replied that the presentation had concluded.
The department was available for questions. He reiterated
an earlier statement that a VPSO PowerPoint would be
provided to members.
Co-Chair Austerman referred to a performance indicator
related to domestic violence and sexual assault on slide
19. He noted that the information that 87 percent of victim
service participants felt positively about the program did
not indicate whether domestic violence had increased or
decreased. He wanted to know if the department was actually
decreasing sexual assault and domestic violence. He asked
the department to keep the request in mind when making
future presentations.
Co-Chair Austerman pointed to the request for new VPSO
positions on slide 20. He remarked that Mr. Spencer had
relayed several times during the presentation that the
proposed increase was based on the governor's commitment.
Mr. Spencer replied in the affirmative.
Co-Chair Austerman responded that it was fine that it was
the governor's commitment; however, there had been two
years where nothing had happened in the program that was
based on a governor's commitment. He stated that the
legislature was more than willing to fund a program that
worked. He wondered why additional positions were requested
if the department could not support or make the program
work. He believed in the VPSOs and believed more were
needed; however, if the positions could not be filled [more
positions should not be requested]. He stressed that the
department had worked on the program for a number of years
through various commissioners and had never been able to
make it succeed. He stated that he was close to being fed
up with the current approach. He underscored that if DPS
could not come up with a plan that showed how to make the
program work, he did not want to see a request for funds.
He referred to other ideas that had been proposed that had
never been brought forward to the legislature. He wanted a
plan showing how success would be achieved.
Co-Chair Austerman addressed the proposed decommissioning
of the Woldstad. He relayed that he needed to see
significant numbers from the department to justify the
change. He referred to the $100,000 the department proposed
it would save in moorage fees and reasoned that there would
be costs associated with basing the Stimson to Kodiak as
well. He wanted to know the net difference in cost. He
wondered if the difference would be $5,000, $50,000, or
other. He had lived on the ocean and he could not believe
that a 58-foot vessel would replace the Woldstad
effectively. He would prefer to spend the $3.7 million to
refurbish the vessel. He compared the refurbishment to the
vessel Tustumena that was 50 years old and still in
service. He did not believe the Woldstad was inferiorly
built. He reiterated the need for justifications on the
proposals.
3:22:26 PM
Representative Wilson asked what happened to money
allocated to the department for unfilled VPSO positions.
Mr. Spencer replied that the money was used in the
department's budget. He elaborated that the funding was
used for a coordinator to run the programs, equipment, and
facilities. Funds were also specified for equipment. He
stressed that work in rural communities was more expensive
than in urban areas.
Representative Wilson wondered what would have happened
with the money if the VPSO positions had all been filled.
She knew that many communities wanted a VPSO, but she
believed the program made it difficult for some small
communities to have the required services. She asked about
background checks. She observed that there were currently
two types of background checks; a more stringent one for
pre-K and Head Start programs and another K-12 teachers.
She believed the check should be the same for all grades.
She wondered about the cost difference between the two
different checks. Additionally, she wondered how long the
checks took.
Mr. Spencer would follow up with an answer.
3:26:11 PM
Vice-Chair Neuman believed in 1990 the state had 425 Alaska
State Troopers with less than 400,000 Alaskans; currently
there were about 375 troopers with 738,000 Alaskans. He
referred to slide 19 related to domestic violence and
sexual assault. He recalled working on difficult
legislation related to sexual assault in the past. He
stated that 23 percent of all sexual assaults were reported
and that a perpetrator assaulted 19 to 24 children prior to
being caught. He pointed to a $250,000 increment to help
children exposed to violence (slide 20). He surmised that
the money spent on aiding victims was not proportionate to
the number of victims experiencing lifelong trauma caused
by the crimes. He wondered why more money was not directed
to the programs.
Commissioner Folger understood Vice-Chair Neuman's point.
He would follow up at a later time.
Representative Gara shared concerns of the prior speakers
related to the VPSO program. He stated that the VPSO
expansion program had been a complete failure. He remarked
that the goal of filling the positions would address
concern about sexual assault because people would be
protected; however, the positions continued to be unfilled.
He asked how many VPSO positions had been filled in FY 10
when the governor's plan had begun compared to the number
of filled positions at present.
Mr. Spencer replied that on December 31, 2010 there had
been 70 VPSOs; currently there were 88. There had been a
high of 101.
Representative Gara observed that over five years 75 new
VPSOs should have been added; however, only 17 officers had
been added. He asked rhetorically how long it would take to
figure out how to make the program work. He asked if the
proposed program only allowed VPSOs to respond to
misdemeanors. He wondered if the officers could also
intervene in sexual assaults.
Mr. Spencer deferred the question to his colleague.
COLONEL JIM COCKRELL, DIRECTOR, DIVISION OF ALASKA STATE
TROOPERS, DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY (via teleconference),
answered that a VPSO could respond to any crime, which
frequently included felony offences such as sexual assault.
3:30:49 PM
Representative Gara asked for verification that there were
currently 33 vacant VPSO positions. Mr. Spencer replied in
the affirmative.
Representative Gara surmised that the department did not
require a budget increase in the present year given that 33
positions would not be filled in the upcoming year. He
noted that 18 positions had been filled in 5 years. Mr.
Spencer replied that three months earlier there had been
100 positions filled; the number fluctuated.
Representative Gara explained that the legislature was
working to find places to save money where it was not being
utilized. He stated that there were many areas that needed
more funding.
Mr. Spencer reiterated that the department would provide
committee members with the VPSO presentation and the
committee would make its decision. He added that DPS would
rather aim high than low. He agreed that the department had
its work cut out to fill the vacant positions.
Representative Gara proposed sending VPSOs to the same
academy provided to troopers. He asked whether the
department would commit to not spending money allocated for
new VPSO positions if the positions were not filled. Mr.
Spencer was unable to commit to not spending the funds at
present. He could look into the issue.
Co-Chair Austerman believed the message to the department
related to the VPSO program was clear. He elaborated that
issues repeatedly brought to the legislature regarding the
VPSO program related to the high cost of living and
housing. He remarked that the department did not bring
forward a proposal to address the problems.
3:34:26 PM
Representative Gara clarified that he wanted the program to
work.
Co-Chair Austerman agreed.
Mr. Spencer replied that the problem was not new to the
past five years; the state had been working on the problem
in the 1970s. He relayed that there had been constables,
regional police officers, and then VPSOs. The state was
still trying to find a program that would work.
Co-Chair Austerman surmised that if the goal was to be fair
across the state that maybe the positions should all be
state trooper positions. He stressed that DPS was
responsible for presenting a plan to the legislature.
HB 266 was HEARD and HELD in committee for further
consideration.
HB 267 was HEARD and HELD in committee for further
consideration.
ADJOURNMENT
3:35:15 PM
The meeting was adjourned at 3:35 p.m.
| Document Name | Date/Time | Subjects |
|---|---|---|
| DOT Overview Document HFIN.pdf |
HFIN 2/7/2014 1:30:00 PM |
DOT HFIN Overview document |
| DOT Budget Overview HFIN Presentation February 7 2014 - NO NOTES.pdf |
HFIN 2/7/2014 1:30:00 PM |
DOT HFIN Budget OVerview |
| FY15 DPS House Finance Committee Overview 2-7-14.pdf |
HFIN 2/7/2014 1:30:00 PM |
DPS Budget Overview HFIN |