Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Operations And Public Safety topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Fish and Game outlines IT, staffing and search-and-rescue funding needs; committee asks for projections before approving IT request
Summary
Fish and Game requested about $637,000 for IT upgrades, proposed converting seasonal positions to permanent roles to reduce recruiting costs, and discussed enforcement staffing and search-and-rescue funding (HikeSafe). Lawmakers asked the department for revenue projections before approving IT spending from the Fish and Game Fund.
Fish and Game officials told the Finance Division I work session the department needs information-technology upgrades and additional staffing flexibility to operate effectively across remote hatcheries and regional offices.
IT request and funding questions
Simic said the department’s initial IT ask was roughly $637,000 to improve statewide network connectivity, bring hatcheries onto the state network and secure DOIT support. The department asked the committee to consider funding the request from general funds or from the Fish and Game Fund if projected revenue increases and account sweeps make the fund able to absorb the expense.
Committee members said they were concerned about approving large one-time spending while the Fish and Game Fund surplus was projected to decline. Several lawmakers asked the department to provide a projection showing the fund’s likely balance after the proposed fee increases and the proposed year-end sweeps; the chair said he would prepare a consolidated surplus statement that excludes the $637,000 IT ask so lawmakers can decide later whether a portion of the request could be funded from Fish and Game surplus.
Staffing: seasonal to permanent
The department asked to convert certain seasonal positions into two permanent positions to reduce annual recruiting and retraining costs. Simic said the positions would become year-round “floaters” usable across fisheries and wildlife divisions. Committee members asked the department to provide a cost comparison showing the net personnel cost difference (benefits vs. recruiting/training savings) before approving the change.
Enforcement staffing and search-and-rescue funding
Colonel Jordan, Fish and Game’s chief of law enforcement, said the removal of about $2.6 million in general funds in the governor’s budget restores enforcement costs to the Fish and Game Fund, which could affect the department’s ability to fill five currently open officer positions. Jordan described operational strain: several officers were out injured and the department is working with volunteers and the National Guard for search-and-rescue missions.
The committee discussed HikeSafe, a voluntary rescue-insurance card. Jordan and committee members said HikeSafe revenue has grown substantially since 2015 and last year produced about $363,000; lawmakers discussed raising the HikeSafe fee incrementally (for example, inflation-based adjustments) rather than a large one-time jump, because the card is voluntary and large increases could discourage purchases.
Ending
Committee members asked the department for detailed projections: the effect of fee increases and year-end sweeps on the Fish and Game Fund; a cost comparison for converting seasonal employees to permanent positions; and a prioritized list of IT needs so the committee can consider partial funding if the fund balance allows.
