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Commission hears fiscal update: reserves projected to fall, commissioners press staffing and travel costs
Summary
Staff reported roughly $2.7–3.0 million carried forward across recent fiscal years and projected declining reserves; commissioners pressed the program on rising administrative costs, out‑of‑state travel, and the rationale for adding a second staff position while grant revenue projections dip.
Program fiscal leads presented a multi‑year summary showing the OHV program carried forward approximately $3,000,000 in FY2023, about $2.7 million in FY2024 and currently projects roughly $2.7 million again into the FY2026 planning year.
King Barmore and Heather Bugg said personnel costs rose after the program added a second position and due to statutory cost‑of‑living adjustments and employer benefit changes. ‘‘In fiscal year 2023, we carried forward, about 3,000,000… and then in fiscal year 24, we carried for about $2,700,000,’’ staff reported. They also explained a recent departmental decision to consolidate IT services, which reallocated those costs into program budgets.
Commissioner Julie Boyer pressed staff on two themes: why administrative expenses have jumped (she cited an increase in administration from roughly $141,000 to about $328,000 over three years) and why the commission approved a second program staffer while grant receipts appear to have declined. ‘‘My concern is that administrative growth is outpacing the program’s growth,’’ Boyer said, asking whether overhead is crowding out grant dollars.
Staff responded that the picture is incomplete without a reconciliation of outstanding grant liabilities; Barmore said he will prepare an analysis for the next meeting showing liabilities, reserve projections and the rationale for staffing decisions. The director’s office also said some travel budget increases reflect positions being filled after vacancies and inflation in travel costs since the base year used by the state budget process.
No budget augmentations or reassignments were adopted at the Aug. 12 meeting; staff committed to return with a more detailed reconciliation and schedule a future discussion to clarify allocation, travel, and reserves.
