JBC-Personnel

We'll go ahead and call this meeting to order and. First up on the agenda we're gonna be dealing with governors letters 1 and 2 I'm sorry 11 and 12. Thank you madam chairman. Covers letters 11 and 12 these requests for changes for 5 bills associated with the Department education governor's letter 11 affects SB 58 for the Division of higher education SB 64 division of elementary and secondary Education Public School Fund H. B. 1067 for career and technical education H. B. 1080 for school for the blind in school for the deaf and SB 63 for the shared services division the amendments will move 18 positions across these divisions to the department of education's shared services section we're also they're also requesting to move the appropriation the regular salaries and appropriations a regular session matching appropriations along with this position. Our numbers are 12 also adds 2 positions to northwest technical appropriation and SB 58 for the Division of higher ed these are 2 additional positions the Amendment what add an ammonia refrigeration technical specialist in training manager GS 13 as well as a business and industry coordinator at a GS 10 the appropriation increase these positions is also added will be about $175000. Madam chairman that's governor's letters 11 and 12. Do we have any questions. Senator Hickey. And you're recognized just just one clarification you said it moved the matching appropriation on that is my understanding yes Sir that if you look on the front page one of the packet you'll see the regular salaries in matching both have been struck. And have been lowered down so at my understanding is that yes the regular service in matching would be moved for those positions that that would be standard or is that something different to normal when they move positions I believe that's generally standard but I'd rather let DFA OPM speak to that but that's my understanding yes Sir. Yes Sir Senator thank you that's a pretty much a standard way of up when they transfer positions because they have to have to match the right business area okay that would make sense thank you. There any other questions. We have a motion for approval. I have a motion the second. And all the. A second okay thank you any discussion all those in favor say aye opposed no motion carries. At at except as governor letter governor's letter 14 min chairman governor 14 set to amend SB 40 and H. B. 1018 for the department of energy environment 3 amendments W. F. P. 061 and W. F. P. 062 U. the amendments will move 1 fiscal support specialist position from the liquefied petroleum gas board to the Department shared services division along with the regular salaries matching preparations. Any questions on this letter. C. 9 to have a motion for approval. A second. All that any discussion all those in favor please say aye opposed nay moshing carries next up we have governor's letter 15. Interment governors are 15 lament HB 1034 in H. B. 1010 for the department of correction amendments DJ C. 047 and DJ C. 048 move 2022 positions from the Division of correction in the division of community correction to the Department shared services division division to be used across the entire department the members will also move the regular salaries in matching and operate in some operating expenses appropriation to the shared services for the 22 positions. Any questions. C. 9 to have a motion. A second. And any questions all those in favor say aye. Is no motion carries that governor's letter 17. Madam chairman governors are 17 women H. B. 1058 for the department of finance and administration The Amendment J. A. P. 069 and the budget management services division this is for the budget and management services division as well as the Revenue Division of the FNA they will transfer 5 positions to the DFA shared services division along with the regular salaries to match appropriation. Any questions. C. 9 to have a motion for approval motion and a second any questions all those in favor please say aye. Posebno motion carries up next we have governor's letter and 18 and 19. I'm chairman governors under 18 and 19 both amend H. B. 1026 for the department of public safety The Amendment DJ C. 046 encompasses all the changes in both of the letters governor's letter 18 has 3 positions. To use me to from the state police and 1 from classed that will be transferred along with the regular salary matching appropriation to shared services governor 19 adds 5 new forensic scientist positions to the crime lab along with $300000 in regular salary and matching appropriation this will grow the total number of positions the crime lab has been requested to help speed up the testing sexual assault kits in order to meet turnaround times 7 ACT 839 of 2019. There any questions on this. C. 9 to have a motion the second any questions and all those in favor please say aye. Those no mission carries. Okay M. item 6 governors letter 21. Madam chairman committee members please bear with me so this governor's letter 21 request amendments to 10 DHS bills 9 of which have personnel related changes so I'm gonna go through the summary of the changes first like what is happening and then I'm gonna go amendment by amendment so you know kind of what's going on in each division so the first initial C. is to titles at DHS division directors there actually being changed to deputy directors several of these titles I will also have an increasing grade from grade S. C. O. one to SCO to. Another recurring change in this letters to make permanent the changes are there reallocation of resources transfers the DHS is done throughout the last year year point 5 away they've moved positions from one division to another they're just making those permanent. There are 109 new positions or additional position positions at DCFS these are part of DHS DHS is new teaming approach with their family service workers they received a handful these positions a few months ago as part of this program and this is a continuation of that approach these are the only true new positions I believe it at in any of it in this governor's letter and any amendments. There's some upgrades which means an increasing grade on the job as well as re classifications for long term services Medicaid eligibility and County ops and these are being provided help with officially determine eligibility in long term care needs and then there's appropriation adjustments throughout the amendment to the bill and and the M. S. U. mi the governor's letter in the amendments so we'll start first with LC W. 064 and this is to amend HB 1056 DHS DHS secretary's office it makes permanence reallocation of resources from FY 22. Then in Amendment LC W. 0652 SP 34 this is for aging adult and behavioral health services makes permanent the the reallocation of resources changes it also changes the DHS deputy director for behavioral health services to DHS division director increases its grade from an SCO 1 to an SCO to your preparations are adjusted as well to support maintenance operations and personnel costs. Amendment LC W. 066 is to SB 53 this is for childcare and early childhood ed this makes permanent the FY 22 reallocation of resources we have the director's title change in great change again from S. you'll want to an SCO to and the appropriation changes for the reallocation of resources and this is for enhanced oversight it residential at residential adolescent facilities. The next amendment will be L. C. W. 067 this is for S. B. 51 at a deed for DCFS changes in the DHS deputy director DSF DCFS title to DHS division director as well as increasing its grade from a C. O. 12 and is here to as we mentioned it this adds 109 new positions with the appropriations which are increased for the positions in this is to purchase they're also purchasing some federally required comprehensive child welfare welfare information system with the appropriation is also provision preparation for 10 if a foster care is also increased to assist with child placement in intensive in home contracts. Amendment L. C. W. 0702 H. P. 1064 this is for a county office. These are the reallocation she's now sorry the reallocation of resources changes we also add one new reallocation of resource for childcare and early childhood ed 2 for medical services to from aging adult behavioral health services one from D. Y. S. and 13 from the secretary's office this amendment also re classifies integrates 229 positions at the LTSS program eligibility unit. We have an increase appropriation is requested for these changes and to support the maintenance operations and personnel costs you have Amendment LC W. 069 to SB 50 this is for the developmental disability services this makes permanent the FY 22 reallocation of resources the director's title is changed along with the great change in the additional appropriation for personnel and operational needs Amendment LC W. 0712 SP 54 Medical Services makes permanent the FY 22 reallocation of resources changes reality it's 1 position from aging adult behavior health services we have the director's title change this 1 already had the SCO to grade so it stays the same and we have the appropriation changes for the person on support the Medicaid program due to increased enrollment and provider rate increases we have L. C. W. W. L. C. W. 072 for H. B. 1074 this for the Division of provider services and quality assurance they're making permanent there reallocation of resources they've done over FY 22 the director's title is changed in the greatest change from this year 12 this year too and then the appropriation adjustments for the personal cost regular salaries matching in an amendment L. C. W. O. 732 SP 5070 Y. S. we have relocations that are being made permanent the directors titling great change and then there's an increase in the federal child and youth service grants appropriation to support additional federal funding and to expand in home services and that's that's all the amendments through this governor's letter for DHS. German come we have the agency come forward. If you have questions go ahead. The all of them for yourself I don't think it's necessary with go ahead if you would syndicalists be secretary of the department of Human Services mark white chief of staff for the department and services thank you all for being here this morning I'll go to. 23 different questions bill at the the main I guess the main thing in all of this that the then I would like to know is what is what is the total. Additional calls because of CO one page of Page 6. It goes from 109000000 being struck 240000930 that's on page on page 6 of top of the page and then overall in the. Page. Thanks. There's another one. The strikes 173000000 and then inserts 176000000. And then I'm back on page 9. There's 140000000 struck and and 158000000 so what what is the what are these cumulative numbers that are building up through the bill or are we looking at. So so how much is the total cost there were looking at the mark this this does not have 109 is this have the hundred 9 positions and in which one were is that those are not those new positions are all within the Division children family services when you look at the other position changes throughout the different bills all those net 0 but the additional hundred 9 that's yes this Charlie for and that's to strengthen the of the of social workers contact in the homes in that time thing but doing it in a team effort is that correct yes Sir that's correct now. Excluding that can you can you give us a total number of additional funding the this will include yes Sir I can and and and let me caution first by saying that the appropriation changes was that include the conditional costs for personnel but also include additional costs for operations as well in some cases but with that said if we if we but the largest amount of preparation relates to distal funding for Medicaid in terms of claims being paid by Medicaid as well some federal grants other federal funding that comes in that totals about the total for turn 17000000 Sweetback that out that leaves us in looking just at our operations additional preparation of 55.8000000 and all of that the vast majority of that is for those hundred 9 new positions and child welfare and then the upgrades that we're doing our division County operations around the workers that work with long term care eligibility at the back of those out among all the divisions the total is an increase preparation of 6000006 move. So when you make how much money how much how much of federal money. Is involved in this verses state revenue that will leverage state that make it simpler how much of an increase or re saying and revenue for your agency from state funds excel federal The New it in this new proposal in these amendments. We look at that increased cost it varies from division to division but across I think it's fair to say about half is typically going to be federal funds now in in that 417000000 I mentioned that's gonna be much larger proportion federal funds so set that aside perforce remaining depending on the source is going be typically around half state funds have federal funds but on the funding side no Corsi you may recall that our budget presentation precession what we've asked for and what governor's recommended is our increase is the same as was recommended back on the Journal session it as part of biennium which what we did re allocate some of those funds and most of those that Medicaid into these other divisions to reflect these increased cost okay thank you Mr chairman thank you Martin sector thank you and Senator Hammer you're recognized for a question thank you ma'am sure good morning. I was listening as the presentation will be made and with the change of every title does it automatically come with a grade level increased because it seems like I heard change and it upgraded to title I misunderstand that or is that a fairly accurate statement. Yes senator Hammer one of the greatest I'll thank you Mike is out there okay. Okay generally with a great change it does not have an automatic upgrade and automatic costs associated with it that comes at a decision that the department can make it there particular level in the case of the upgrades here if I might say the long term specialist start of the LTSS that was the title we created during the interim and they've been able to they gave those people 10 percent already in this my understanding they're not going to provide those people with an additional 10 percent as we already raised and through other methods during the interim but this does properly classified. Okay so when when I hear a new title deputy director or director whatever that doesn't automatically mean and then I heard you say it got they go to the next level paid that doesn't automatically give them that pay increase if they're below the minimum of the great they're going to there is an automatic pay pay increase if they're within the range there is not but that again that is left to the discretion of the department when the employment okay so. What's the dollar value associated with that conversation right there or do you know what the increase was based on the changing of the titles. So around the shift from having deputy directors to having to division directors that one models out if we end up doing the 10 percent increase on each of the individuals that would not let it including French about 113000 and then of course as we said before a lot of hours in saw have federal with the way our money flows all right so did not not just under 13000 but 113000 is is the cost associated with that low. It yes Sir okay thank you. Thank you and representative gene you're recognized for a question thank you madam chair of I'm on house bill 1064. Reading 229 positions and looks like one director than 18 supervisors and 210 specialist. OR those will be scattered throughout the state. Are they are they gonna be centralized somewhere. DCFS. 6 Director Martin is here if you if she wants to know she is not okay. She said he's a DCFS deseo. Okay with. 94 a service common or is this just you know it is the CEO okay so FOR D. C. O. yes those are spread around the station I can answer that very very clearly and. As miss Barnhill indicated we have already begun working with these individuals because of the workload flowing through the agency right now so. For some of the individuals these LTSS positions that are in there that are the GS 7 upgrades we've already identified individuals they've interviewed there moved in to training moved into those roles and have been given a temporary discretionary increased with the idea that we will now have this expanded LTSS operation and it is around the state once we come to July it will be permanent if you all approved this with the Director be stationed in Little Rock the the director is stationed in Little Rock it is merry Franklin right now and I would imagine the director will stay stay with the this act like these are new positions. They they're not new positions there some of them are new positions to deseo taken from elsewhere in DHS okay right and so there is the addition of positions to deseo from elsewhere in the army to these 229 are absolutely new positions are acting CEO there are no new positions coming to DHS okay all right thank manager. Are there any other questions. Right scene 9 and have a motion for approval section and a second. Second. All right thank you and any discussion on the motion all those in favor please say aye. Opposed no motion carries all right item number 7 SP 12 the game and fish commission letter thank you Mr chairman I'll be 7 is a letter from the game fish commission the requested at for additional positions and $11000000 an additional appropriation for maintenance and operation and construction line items the letter also calls for some additional special language that will be heard by special language act I think it's already been ordered by special language madam chairman. We have any questions. Right and we have a motion for approval. A second. Yes. You have a question we've got a motion with what a second yet so okay. Not. She with your motion so go ahead you're recognized Senator Dismang. You know if we could I think he's gonna have some comments another some concerns about maybe some disparity between biologist then these officers and can understand the reality work we are where we are with the State Police raises and how that impacts you know what you all do but if you don't mind kind of just addressing the committee an in kind of walking through with the plan is for those folks sure. Good morning Senator Davis into the Committee I'm Austin booth on the Director of the Arkansas game and fish commission I'm joined all right to me. I'm going to all right by Melissa riffle are HR chief and in which you made our CFO of as you all know part of a part of our letter is the flexibility to match or at least keep the pace with the pay increases that the Arkansas office of state police is pursuing for the troopers our partnership with the Arkansas state police is in my opinion the most important law enforcement partnership in the state and we're we're facing the exact same kind of climate societal and compensation challenges that that that they are so we're very grateful for the special language subcommittees approval yesterday to give us the flexibility that we need on the and and forced up front. However we have 180 game wardens in an agency of roughly 550 employees so what about everyone else of the bread and butter of what what we do in conservation is on the ground to the dirt under your fingernails kind of work that you think of when you think about you know wildlife management or fisheries management and we don't just have enforcement compensation problems we have we have agency compensation problems and that's one of the reasons why you have for additional positions before you today is compensation is not just a salary discussion the compensations also a quality light climate leadership discussion and as the number of fill positions that we've had in the agency over the years has gone down and down of for many of our biologist we place unrealistic expectations on them so in the second year of the biennium I'm asking for these for positions in an effort to focus some of their work and I recreational shooting division and are private lands effort. So that will get us through the second year of this biennium and we just went under contract with a vendor that's going to do a national class and costs us 30 for us that's gonna compare not just hell Arkansas compares inside sir not just how the Arkansas gamefish compares inside the state but we'll look at the private sector a look at other fish and wildlife agencies and the nonprofit sector to see just how far we are behind we've we've had a look at our IT division just a name name 1 and our compensation structure about 4040 percent below industry so this is an interim measure to to get us into the next biennium. And Senator Dismang you're recognized for a question the known anything for that in one thing we do have an A. L. C. subcommittee for came in physician is that information kind of rolls out if you can be sure to share that with them and maybe actually have a a meeting on a kind of what's happening what we're looking to do any kind of minimize that disparity that that looks to be current thank you Sir. Thank you **** senator I mean excuse me representative gene you're recognized for a question thank you madam chair was moving over here yes I mean positions you said you had total 500 what with a total of 650 available and the last I looked we had 400 48 or sorry 500 48 500 48 build yes Sir you're asking for for more yes Sir and did you say you had 180 game wardens we have 180 game 1 vacancies is a total game 1 positions yes Sir thank you sis we have 22 vacancies okay I thought should under 8. Getting it thank goodness okay you get 22 game warden vacancies out of the 180. 180 a Sir okay our thank you his or. Are there any other questions. Representative having your wooden you're recognized. I'm I'm curious about how it you've got a 650 positions now and you want to add 4 more but you just got for 84 failed is there is there any reason why you're asking for additional for when you've got that many vacant no limit back how many of those do you know of that have been vacant for over 2 years. Yes Sir. In preparation for this committee and our work together when I was at better and affairs the front on on my my answer was was the fact that this question what was going to come from you so we're we're we're we're doing that work many of the 650 positions are extra help positions that aren't really relevant for this calculus the positions that were asking for we don't currently have and in the event that we come to the personnel subcommittee after the fiscal session to request these positions for the for up for this fiscal year will be prepared to turn in any positions that haven't been used in 2 years okay. The positions of rank and can okay can you upgrade you can upgrade FOR to get less you won't or okay can you shed some light on I'm just others have understand where your what you're trying to do was understand try that before we got that many thank you okay miss wooden gaming petitions not covered by the class compact they're independent so they don't have the pool and bility to trade in as other state department state I think that's why they're coming forward with the additional position okay thank you thank you. Thank you. There any other questions. C. 9 do we have a motion. And the second. All right of any discussion all those in favor please say aye opposed no motion carries okay we'll move on to item C. permanent chairman items C. D. and E. are all regular business requests I don't see. I'm C. is requesting the Department of Human Services requesting to surrender 3 positions in return for one DMS business operations manager to grade 12 this is again for medical services the business operations manager will be responsible for creating and submitting state and federal reports they're also requesting to surrender 3 positions in return for one assistant director of quality assurance in their shared services division this position will be responsible for reviewing and meeting internal controls of the agency the request will drop the total number of positions at DHS by for opium recommends the requested positions and estimates the cost to be 146000 respectively. There any questions. M.. To have a motion for review that these have been reviewed. Motion the second any discussion all those in favor please say aye. Is no mission carries a madam chairman item D. is requesting the assessment coordination division it definitely the requesting to surrender one position in return for one position and ACT division administrator and agree GSO 8 administrator will be responsible for working on the ratio study which guarantees a county is properly executed a reappraisal and their valuations are correct is this what no net effect on the number of positions as it is a one for one swap opium is recommended the position and estimates the cost to be about $20000. Any questions. I have a motion that this is been review. Second any discussion all those in favor please say aye. Is no motion carries. Man chairman our last item item ease request from the park's heritage tourism department to surrender to lower graded I. T. titles in return for everyone at parts department chief information officer classification at a grade IT 10. This will also be a new classification to be created if review by the committee positional service the lead I. T. officer at the department and be responsible for developing planning and implementing all information technology needs and projects the swap reduce the total number of positions at parks by one opium is recommended the requested position and the classification and estimates the cost of the position to be about $110000. Any questions on this. C. 9. Motion for view drive a second any discussion all those in favor please say aye opposed no motion carries and that is it for today thank you all meetings adjourned.