Board reviews licensing statistics and fund condition; staff says reserves improved after fee changes

Board staff presented licensing statistics for the first quarter of the fiscal year along with a three‑year comparison. The data showed a 2% decrease in individual applications received and a 44% increase in facility applications (the board attributed the latter to changes in ownership for chain community pharmacies). The number of individual license renewals rose 4% and facility license renewals rose 3%.

Staff noted that processing times vary by program and that some licensing programs exceed the board's 30‑day performance target; the processing times reported represent the oldest pending applications of each type, and average processing times are lower.

On budget matters, staff summarized the organizational development committee report and final budgets for the fiscal year. The board's authorized expenditures for the coming year were presented as approximately $35,200,000 and staff reported the fund condition increased to about 8.2 months in reserve following the January 2025 fee restructure. Members asked for clarification on projected revenue and how excess revenue feeds into reserves; staff explained reserve projections include unspent authorized expenditures, cost‑savings measures and some one‑time revenues such as citation and fine collections.

Members raised concerns about long‑term projections (staff noted volatility because of major chain closures, changes to licensing categories and recast fees) and requested follow‑up on historical reserve lows and future projections.