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JAC BUDGET
HEARINGS 12/14/2005
0 ~ 12/14/2005 8:05:59 AM ~ Start
Recording
4 ~ 12/14/2005 8:06:03 AM ~ Baumer: Dir. of OAH, Administrative Hearings- Been
here for 10 yrs. fair & impartial hearings - funded by dept of employment
and Trans. dept. And all other cases -
caseload has increased the last four years 56% and we still have the same
number of people in our office. We chg.
$90/hr- some revert back to employment and trans and all our expenses come out
first. 55 -45 to the two dept. don't chg. for prep hour. mainly our attorney time. All of our decisions have to be reduced to
writing- I sit with other attorneys and then write for them.
7:16 ~ 12/14/2005 8:13:15 AM ~ Warren -
Such a diverse - how do you keep up and handle it?
7:44 ~ 12/14/2005 8:13:43 AM ~ Baumer - I
do have to research on all the diff. cases.
I consult with all depts. that we hear.
8:45 ~ 12/14/2005 8:14:44 AM ~ Warren- Do
you agree most of the time with the decisions ?
10:15 ~ 12/14/2005 8:16:14 AM ~ Baumer - I
have to understand their positions and the law. We always consult the law first.
10:51 ~ 12/14/2005 8:16:50 AM ~ Case- The
#'s you quoted is surprising to me that the avg. WY citizen wouldn't come.
11:41 ~ 12/14/2005 8:17:40 AM ~ Simpson-
Statistics by county???
11:57 ~ 12/14/2005 8:17:56 AM ~ Baumer -
Driver license cases are Natrona, Sweetwater and Cheyenne. We travel to some areas, but a lot of the
boards meet here.
13:53 ~ 12/14/2005 8:19:52 AM ~ Simpson-
What about Powell? Who do you have
there.
14:35 ~ 12/14/2005 8:20:34 AM ~ Baumer- The Big Horn Basin doesn't have many. Sweetwater has a tremendous increase. We really need help .
16:18 ~ 12/14/2005 8:22:17 AM ~ Nicholas-
what about the inc. in worker's compensation?
16:49 ~ 12/14/2005 8:22:48 AM ~ Baumer- I
think that they don't try to resolve their problems before that they send them
to us.
17:28 ~ 12/14/2005 8:23:27 AM ~ Nicholas- I
would like you to bill the other depts. so that they know what it costs. Maybe that would help.
18:18 ~ 12/14/2005 8:24:17 AM ~ Kranz- We
keep track of all cases and what department.
18:55 ~ 12/14/2005 8:24:54 AM ~ Nicholas-
You have become more proficient, but the other agencies need to know the cost
for you. What about your contract employees?
Here in Cheyenne - Remote areas?
19:48 ~ 12/14/2005 8:25:47 AM ~
20:47 ~ 12/14/2005 8:26:46 AM ~ Baumer- no
contractors here in Cheyenne, just remote areas.
21:14 ~ 12/14/2005 8:27:14 AM ~ Nicholas-
what about having them become full-time employees. People might be more comfortable if they were full-time. Please give us spread sheet to show us where
you need to have help.
22:44 ~ 12/14/2005 8:28:43 AM ~ Anderson-
What about the medical review? Let us
hear how a med. case might go.
Hypothetical??
23:42 ~ 12/14/2005 8:29:41 AM ~ Baumer- This
is hypothetical because we haven't
heard any yet. We will only run the
hearing and not write up anything. It
may be different.
25:03 ~ 12/14/2005 8:31:02 AM ~ Anderson-
Not a big impact on your office?
25:35 ~ 12/14/2005 8:31:34 AM ~ Baumer- Some
prep time and lots of travel time, and prep time. We don't have to do write up, but each will take 3-4 days.
26:43 ~ 12/14/2005 8:32:42 AM ~ Jorgensen-
Do you feel like a consumer advocate?
27:04 ~ 12/14/2005 8:33:03 AM ~ Baumer- We
do have to appoint an attorney once they are referred to us, but we do try to
find info before we set case hearing time.
Sometimes we don't have to hear.
Many are time-sensitive by law, but we are just over loaded.
29:37 ~ 12/14/2005 8:35:36 AM ~ Jorgensen-
Workmen's comp. to person is also time sensitive.
30:36 ~ 12/14/2005 8:36:35 AM ~ Baumer- We just can't handle anymore than we are now
with # of people we have. I have been
working w/their deputy, but the # of cases has snowballed there. They file w/ one body part and then they add
others and we have to wait for docs to decide if they are related.
32:45 ~ 12/14/2005 8:38:44 AM ~ Meuli- As
med. hearing person, how do you deal?
33:07 ~ 12/14/2005 8:39:06 AM ~ Baumer- we
try to let everything in first and then go from there.
33:37 ~ 12/14/2005 8:39:36 AM ~ Meuli- Need
to have all medical info first.
33:56 ~ 12/14/2005 8:39:55 AM ~ Baumer- in
those I think that we are really just like refree!!
34:24 ~ 12/14/2005 8:40:23 AM ~ Hines -
Let's get into your budget and then we'll take more ques. if we have to. You may explain your exceptions if need be.
35:45 ~ 12/14/2005 8:41:44 AM ~ Baumer- p.
14 - 0201 - Req. for full-time hearing officer in Cheyenne with me. Hard to monitor around the state. Will have to travel to other offices. Also full-time staff person because they are
also very overwhelmed.
37:04 ~ 12/14/2005 8:43:03 AM ~ Hines- How
is this handled? In each office the
hearing office has to write up.
37:36 ~ 12/14/2005 8:43:36 AM ~ Baumer- Every case has to pass through the Chey
office except the drivers' license. In
Jan. they will come through here also.
It needs to come here to be processed.
Then they go to the field.
38:56 ~ 12/14/2005 8:44:55 AM ~ Philp - For
hearing examiner, what type of training do they have to have?
39:26 ~ 12/14/2005 8:45:25 AM ~ Baumer- They
have to have 5 yrs. experience and hopefully they have that experience with the
subject they will be dealing with.
40:27 ~ 12/14/2005 8:46:26 AM ~ Simpson- Can
you relax the time on driv. hearing?
Maybe let them have temp. license and go longer?
41:43 ~ 12/14/2005 8:47:42 AM ~ Baumer- We
think that we should do them faster- it's better.
42:23 ~ 12/14/2005 8:48:22 AM ~ Simpson-What
% of full-time is driver's lic. case and workman's comp.?
43:19 ~ 12/14/2005 8:49:18 AM ~ Baumer-They
have a tremendous caseloads in Sweetwater and Natrona.
43:53 ~ 12/14/2005 8:49:52 AM ~ Simpson -
Are any of the contracts full-time people?
44:41 ~ 12/14/2005 8:50:41 AM ~ Baumer- They
work full-time in those counties
45:07 ~ 12/14/2005 8:51:07 AM ~ Nicholas-
What payscale do you use?
45:25 ~ 12/14/2005 8:51:25 AM ~ Baumer-
full-time people in Chey are still making what they were 10 yrs. ago. Not right.
46:41 ~ 12/14/2005 8:52:40 AM ~ Nicholas-
Please look into all these areas and get back to us. Look at what you need and w/med. review panel what you'll
need. Speak w/ Gen. Crank and see what
the lawyers are getting. How much of
your budget actually flows through from other depts - guess it doesn't show in your budget??
49:08 ~ 12/14/2005 8:55:07 AM ~ Baumer- Yes,
dept of ed. contacted me last yr. , but
I couldn't do that. To find someone
experienced would have been diff. to get them to work for $90/hr. The cases have been snowballing now.
50:53 ~ 12/14/2005 8:56:52 AM ~ Nicholas-
does WY Dot really take up 55% of your caseloads??
51:24 ~ 12/14/2005 8:57:23 AM ~ Kranz- The %
is much more it seems.
52:09 ~ 12/14/2005 8:58:08 AM ~ Nicholas-
please have a time keeping system for all so we can evaluate and know if you
are adequately staffed. If we chg the
DUI law, you need to contact LSO so that we can know what the consequences of
our actions will be. Please begin the
system- we need to take you to the next level.
53:45 ~ 12/14/2005 8:59:44 AM ~ Jones- Since
the DOT and Employ are primary do they have input as to your decision
making? they pay w/ bill??
54:21 ~ 12/14/2005 9:00:20 AM ~ Baumer- Met
w/ Cox and Pomeroy and they definitely agree.
54:53 ~ 12/14/2005 9:00:53 AM ~ Philp- What
about the dpt. of Ed?? What do they entail.
55:15 ~ 12/14/2005 9:01:14 AM ~ Baumer- One
is the diploma mill case and finance dept. Then the audit dept. in one school
dist hasn't used money as said. The
dept. has asked us to hear them.
56:25 ~ 12/14/2005 9:02:24 AM ~ Petersen- Do
you ever turn back some of the cases to the dept?? You need to ask them to
investigate themselves.
57:48 ~ 12/14/2005 9:03:47 AM ~ Baumer -
Some, if we have attorneys involved it is better. With all the cases I can't take the active roll that I need to.
58:37 ~ 12/14/2005 9:04:36 AM ~ Hines - pg.
15 - asking for another hearing examiner -
59:01 ~ 12/14/2005 9:05:00 AM ~ Baumer - Yes
59:06 ~ 12/14/2005 9:05:05 AM ~ Hines - In
administration - pg. 19
59:21 ~ 12/14/2005 9:05:20 AM ~ Baumer -
Yes, this is the pass through account.
Asking it to be doubled so that we can process them.
1:00:28
~ 12/14/2005 9:06:27 AM ~ Hines - Other questions from this budget??? Has
helped some of these a lot.
1:00:51
~ 12/14/2005 9:06:50 AM ~ Simpson - Seems that your statuatory rather broad and
we are hearing for first time that some depts. are asking you to get
involved. What types of cases are you
req. to hear? Is there some other
method to hear these things?? Maybe
judges could do some. Info us as to
what your req. to hear. Good models out there you could follow.
1:03:06
~ 12/14/2005 9:09:05 AM ~ Baumer- have to exhaust the admin. level before we
get involved. They want to have sound
decision before they go to the next level.
1:03:55
~ 12/14/2005 9:09:54 AM ~ Simpson - In statute you are authorized to say no to
some.
1:04:21
~ 12/14/2005 9:10:21 AM ~ Baumer - But we can't.
1:04:32
~ 12/14/2005 9:10:31 AM ~ Nicholas- Many of the dept. have the authorization to
hire others. Maybe we need to have all
contracts to go through you before they hire others. People feel more comfortable if they have people familar with the
particular area. Could you maybe be the
one that oversees these hirings???
1:06:38
~ 12/14/2005 9:12:37 AM ~ Baumer - That is the way that should be done and that
usually does happen. They don't want
someone in their agency hearing the case.
1:07:22
~ 12/14/2005 9:13:21 AM ~ Nicholas - Let us know what you need.
1:07:50
~ 12/14/2005 9:13:49 AM ~ Pause
1:07:50
~ 12/14/2005 9:25:54 AM ~ Resume
1:08:17
~ 12/14/2005 9:26:21 AM ~ Hines - meeting of group last night Senator Job was
also on committee, do have funded program in Dept. of Revenue for Property Tax
relief, quite a bit of money over $4.5m still have in balance. Suggestion is to have Governor B-11 $4m to
meet needs for LEIAP until Session. DFS
administrates program and they have an eligibility. Will still have nearly $1m.
1:11:44
~ 12/14/2005 9:29:47 AM ~ Nicholas - have reluctance to have JAC suggest to
Gov. to fund a program by B-11. Sets a
bad precedence. Suggests that JAC can
alter budget in interim. B-11 is a Gov.
procedure. No problem with Gov. asking
if we have criticism on B-11 of some amt.
1:13:52
~ 12/14/2005 9:31:55 AM ~ Case - Similar to having other groups in past . I don't think we have the authority to do
this. We can recommend budget to entire
Legislature and they approve it. Not appropriate.
1:15:04
~ 12/14/2005 9:33:08 AM ~ Philp - should be judicious in how we write letters,
but there is an immediate need that is a bit unusual. Doesn't set a precedent that has not been done before.
1:16:11
~ 12/14/2005 9:34:14 AM ~ Hines - An issue that helps move forward since the
Legislature is not in session. The
committee working on this will have recommendations to act on in Feb.
1:17:36
~ 12/14/2005 9:35:39 AM ~ Job - In past I would have agreed with Sen. Case and
Nicholas. However, the meeting last
night was powerful. Needs are so urgent
and heartbreaking. We have the unused
money, and I would support a letter.
1:18:54
~ 12/14/2005 9:36:57 AM ~ Jorgensen - Not at meeting, but do understand
issue. I think the solution is
proper. Was Governor there? Agree the JAC should not send group
letters. If staff wrote a letter for
individual signatures, I would sign an individual support letter.
1:20:27
~ 12/14/2005 9:38:30 AM ~ Meuli - In the past we sent a letter to Gov. saying
that we don't feel we have authority, but he might already have the authority
to B-11.
1:21:27
~ 12/14/2005 9:39:30 AM ~ Berger - did task force consider writing letter?
1:21:48
~ 12/14/2005 9:39:52 AM ~ Job - committee agreed that Sen. Schiffer would come
talk, a quick solution was seen, thought a JAC letter was a good idea.
1:22:35
~ 12/14/2005 9:40:38 AM ~ Nicholas - JAC is a powerful committee, but must
maintain procedures, could ask the Task Force to come make presentation, or
could ask Governor or his representive could come, have information relayed to
Chairman. We have time if necessary this week, have Gov.'s office make a
recommendation on what he is willing to do.
If there is a prohibition against using the money, I would like to know.
1:25:15
~ 12/14/2005 9:43:19 AM ~ Philp - power of this committee? All we want to do is establish that we could
react to immediate needs, could have a hearing before we send a letter.
1:26:16
~ 12/14/2005 9:44:20 AM ~ Nicholas - recommend we have such a meeting this
week.
1:26:42
~ 12/14/2005 9:44:45 AM ~ Hines - Senator Schiffer said he will come to speak
to us.
1:27:02
~ 12/14/2005 9:45:05 AM ~ Case - If we are going to consider this, ask LSO to
help if other legal constraints to use of money. B-11 is not open ended.
1:27:47
~ 12/14/2005 9:45:51 AM ~ Hines - continue with regular hearing - State
Insurance Dept.
1:28:10
~ 12/14/2005 9:46:14 AM ~ Chairman Vines - introduced Mark Pring. Unique situation, last biennial budget was a
flat budget, now have come with exception budget, involves 2 new staff
position, most important thing we do is to help WY people with their insurance
problems. Important that people get a
response to issue. We need to get
better with that. We will do more
outreach and educate citizens about resource.
We are 25 total people, have worked together since 1980's or so. Undertaken a lot of additional duties and
programs to monitor. Not a GF agency,
We are self-funded agency pd. by assessment of each insurance agency licensed
to do business in WY, about 1,100 agencies, each agency pays same amount, is a
heck of a deal for Wy agencies. We are
regulators, consumer assistance, protection and outreach, collect premium taxes
right at $18m for each of the last 2 years which goes into GF. Regulation of agents, adjusters to guarantee
they are complying. P. 9 of budget book lists.
Insurance companies are accredited, and we have been accredited for last
3 cycles of 5 yrs. ea. Administration budget, oversee State Bd.,
and Health Insurance pool for those uninsurable citizens. Have requested an exception in Health pool.
1:38:05
~ 12/14/2005 9:56:09 AM ~ Hines - Go thru budget, then have general questions.
1:38:24
~ 12/14/2005 9:56:27 AM ~ Nicholas - revenue side confusing, Project $30m,
biennium or yearly?
1:39:00
~ 12/14/2005 9:57:04 AM ~ Vines - $18m per CY, not Biennium. As recently as 8 years ago, collected $8m
per year. Do have actual numbers now.
1:39:55
~ 12/14/2005 9:57:59 AM ~ Hines - Questioned premium taxes
1:40:28
~ 12/14/2005 9:58:31 AM ~ Vines - Ins. will pay higher of two states if
licensed to do business in 2 states.
1:41:10
~ 12/14/2005 9:59:14 AM ~ Anderson - p. 10 2 staff positions - what are
responsibilities, demands? What case
loads are doing?
1:42:10
~ 12/14/2005 10:00:14 AM ~ Vines - 1 is a client advocate, now have 3 who deal
on the ground with complaints specializing in different types of
complaints. Additional position
dedicated to Health Insurance issues. Part of plan will generate more work with
education. Market conduct position
going in different direction, financial solvency exam ea. 3 years to guarantee
they have adequate funds to pay claims.
Market conduct position deals with problems getting claims processed by
companies. Doing a good job on
complaint by complaint basis. They
could analyze trends, 3-5 complaints on a company not paying for ambulance
claims for example, and see if there is a problem with that company.
1:47:45
~ 12/14/2005 10:05:48 AM ~ Anderson - both positions will help you do a better
job?
1:48:07
~ 12/14/2005 10:06:10 AM ~ Vines - absolutely
1:48:17
~ 12/14/2005 10:06:20 AM ~ Jorgensen - anything in insurance code that we have
adopted that limits your ability to do your job.
1:48:54
~ 12/14/2005 10:06:58 AM ~ Vines - think we are doing pretty well. We have some decent powers in the code. My concdern is that we have the resources to
do our job.
1:49:32
~ 12/14/2005 10:07:36 AM ~ Jorgensen - Liability discussions - recall some
discussion that the dept. may not have authority to deal with liability?
1:50:17
~ 12/14/2005 10:08:21 AM ~ Vines - part of last year's law will kick in to give
us more authority.
1:50:39
~ 12/14/2005 10:08:42 AM ~ Simpson - cited statute, agency must show a pattern
of action, is a burden no one can meet.
Will position beef up enforcement of unclaimed cases?
1:51:42
~ 12/14/2005 10:09:46 AM ~ Vines - Absolutely, we are running from one
complaint to another which could be aided by this position.
1:52:20
~ 12/14/2005 10:10:23 AM ~ Jorgensen - WY unique in not allowing Worker's Comp.
1:52:56
~ 12/14/2005 10:10:59 AM ~ Vines - We have a monopoly in WY with our Worker's
Comp. Would require change in policy to
allow a private oversight of W. C.
1:53:55
~ 12/14/2005 10:11:59 AM ~ Case - clarified our law
1:54:04
~ 12/14/2005 10:12:07 AM ~ Vines - Exception request for Administration, would
cost $230,830 between both positions + computers and equipment $237,680 in
total. Maintenance fees on very
specialized system is critical. Actuary
on staff as opposed to Salt Lake consultant work? They assure solvency and adequate reserves. We do review rates with companies at about
$3,000 per exam. 5 WY domestic
companies now. 3rd request is for
computer/hardware items replacement.
Never have done in budget before.
Now doing more electronically, can now license companies
electronically. Must have policies
approved, and now are done electronically.
15 desktops, 3 laptops, 1 file server and 1 printer are included. 2 additional people most important. All 3 requests are tied to strategic plans.
2:02:07
~ 12/14/2005 10:20:11 AM ~ Hines - other questions?
2:02:20
~ 12/14/2005 10:20:23 AM ~ Vines - discussed Board of Insurance Agent
Examiners, a 6 member board of insurance agents of different types, most of
request if for travel. Also is
self-funded. Final budget is WY Health
Insurance Pool, operates thru a separate board. I am a member, this provides coverage for about 700 people
presently that cannot qualify for coverage.
More uncompensated care for ER's which don't get paid. HIPPA law.
3 prong system, people pay high premiums up to 200% of standard market,
assessment of health insurance companies which pays premiums are not covered
for really sick people, WIN Health Co. is one, state participates but not by
putting GF money. They give premium tax
credit to companies who participate.
There is a cap, 80% tax credit for 1st, part, then 50% tax on next, capped
@ $1,625,000 the state can give in any
year. Current administrator is Blue
Cross/Blue Shield. We ask for
projection of next biennium. They
predict $10m for the first year, then $12.8m 2nd year. Amount will not cover it. Not unreasonable, this year we have hit $1m
month. May indicate trend. Not GF $.
2:11:35
~ 12/14/2005 10:29:39 AM ~ Hines - restrictions or limitations on charges?
2:11:48
~ 12/14/2005 10:29:51 AM ~ Vines - provision that if assessment will jeopardize
solvency of company, can waive, but the other balance has to be divided up
between other companies. Cannot
bankrupt company.
2:12:56
~ 12/14/2005 10:30:59 AM ~ Warren - Could you increase premium credit, be a
point where people cannot afford their premiums. Some states have lower premiums, how to cap conusmer premiums.
2:14:04
~ 12/14/2005 10:32:07 AM ~ Vines - great questions. Have tried to balance to keep affordable, but assessment to
insurance companies is important. At
some point insurance companies will complain.
Over $3m assessed to companies.
We have to keep up with medical inflation. Federal govt. has offered grants. WY got 1st grant thru WIP Bd.
Drop in a bucket. Looking at
some new benefit plans, high deductible plans for example, should be
cheaper. May have $5,000 to $10,000
deductible plans. Some states put more
GF money into pools, but some have capped the number of participants in
pool. WY has not done this.
2:18:47
~ 12/14/2005 10:36:51 AM ~ Nicholas - total budget $27m minus WIP $, then take
out admin. fees, really get about $29m into GF? What can GF really see?
2:20:36
~ 12/14/2005 10:38:39 AM ~ Vines - administrative budget is not paid by
premiums, is pd. by assessment. $18m
premium taxes are net taxes.
2:21:48
~ 12/14/2005 10:39:51 AM ~ Nicholas - last year when the program was expande to
cover Small Business Insurance. Has
this been incorporated. Scott amendment
allowed small groups to get into the WIP.
2:22:54
~ 12/14/2005 10:40:57 AM ~ Case - my bill to expand to all businesses in WY,
failed in committee.
2:23:27
~ 12/14/2005 10:41:30 AM ~ Nicholas - thougth one got tacked on by amendment.
2:23:44
~ 12/14/2005 10:41:48 AM ~ Vines - not
aware of it.
2:24:01
~ 12/14/2005 10:42:04 AM ~ Nicholas - going to eat balance?
2:24:21
~ 12/14/2005 10:42:25 AM ~ Hines - have to have a pretty good income to
participate. Lots of low income people
cannot afford it.
2:24:55
~ 12/14/2005 10:42:59 AM ~ Vines - People drop out all the time who cannot
afford the premiums.
2:25:21
~ 12/14/2005 10:43:24 AM ~ Warren - could $ not go into GF and instead go to
payment of premiums?
2:25:50
~ 12/14/2005 10:43:53 AM ~ Vines - Yes you could do a policy decision to commit
part of the money toward paying premiums.
2:26:36
~ 12/14/2005 10:44:40 AM ~ Warren - To keep Premium taxes down which are pd. by
companies, could there be an amount of money you can project what it would have
to be. Decision you would have to make.
2:28:10
~ 12/14/2005 10:46:13 AM ~ Philp - what would be an average premium?
2:28:24
~ 12/14/2005 10:46:27 AM ~ Mark Pring - based on age, sex, people who are
Medicare Disabled and Critical Care folks.
Premiums $800 - $1,000 per month.
2:29:41
~ 12/14/2005 10:47:44 AM ~ Hines - thank you.
5 minute break
2:29:58
~ 12/14/2005 10:48:01 AM ~ Pause
2:29:58
~ 12/14/2005 10:57:45 AM ~ Resume
2:29:58
~ 12/14/2005 10:57:45 AM ~ Retirement System - Tom Mann, Director
2:30:02
~ 12/14/2005 10:57:48 AM ~ Retirement System Budget - Tom Mann Roxanne Hudson
and Polly Scott are here too .
2:31:08
~ 12/14/2005 10:58:54 AM ~ Mann- Req. if not out of line, couple pieces of
legislation. As you're aware we cover
every employee in state. Publice emp,
school , DCI, law enforcement , 2 dif. paid fire prog and volunteer fire
prog. All plans except the volunteer
fire are governed by our board. Our
budget represents work we do for all those systems and deferred comp. program
which we took over. Run own payroll
system. Our active system. Roxanne keeps track of all money that comes
in. Over 37K employees in prog. and those in deferred comp. prog. sev. thousand. Last budget session you gave authority to handle the deferred
comp prog and that has been working very well.
Polly has worked very hard to get the 4 ed. programs tried to help get
more for people. 55 pts down to 50 pts
. That is helping . That is our standard budget - get to
exception budget.
2:37:07
~ 12/14/2005 11:04:54 AM ~ Nicholas-
School teachers in deferred comp prog???
2:37:26
~ 12/14/2005 11:05:12 AM ~ Mann- Def comp prog is available for all groups, but
it does interfere with some 401K prog, etc.
2:38:22
~ 12/14/2005 11:06:08 AM ~ Nicholas- Does that inc. UW and others???
2:38:40
~ 12/14/2005 11:06:26 AM ~ McVey- we base the budget on what and who are
enrolled.
2:39:24
~ 12/14/2005 11:07:11 AM ~ Nicholas-
2:39:36
~ 12/14/2005 11:07:23 AM ~ Mann-You can set up your own portfolio and you
contribute, etc. We keep fees as low as can.
2:40:13
~ 12/14/2005 11:07:59 AM ~ Nicholas- What would look like it emp stayed 20
years and contrib. $20 / mo and you gave match??
2:40:52
~ 12/14/2005 11:08:38 AM ~ Mann- No we haven't.
2:41:04
~ 12/14/2005 11:08:50 AM ~ Warren- If
everyone who could participate did participate how many??
2:41:39
~ 12/14/2005 11:09:26 AM ~ Mann - about 34K people
2:41:50
~ 12/14/2005 11:09:36 AM ~ Warren- do you think if you did outreach program
more would participate???
2:42:26
~ 12/14/2005 11:10:12 AM ~ Mann- We have people on the road all the time to
help educate people. That's about all
we can do.
2:42:57
~ 12/14/2005 11:10:43 AM ~ Hines - Can you withdraw before retirement???
2:43:13
~ 12/14/2005 11:10:59 AM ~ Mann- no penalty for withdrawing funds - good
benefit of this program. We have 3rd
party administrator that handles these.
2:44:10
~ 12/14/2005 11:11:56 AM ~ Jones - you said there would be no penalty?? These monies are pre-taxed??
2:44:59
~ 12/14/2005 11:12:45 AM ~ Mann-Not 401K and there are not taxed before 59 1/2
if they withdraw.
2:45:40
~ 12/14/2005 11:13:27 AM ~ Nicholas - about higher ed people??
2:45:54
~ 12/14/2005 11:13:40 AM ~ Mann- Professors tend to move from univ to univ.
2:46:29
~ 12/14/2005 11:14:15 AM ~ Nicholas - does it have to be a mandatory
contribution?
2:46:51
~ 12/14/2005 11:14:37 AM ~ Scott- is not mandatory. One can opt out ,but not opt in.
2:47:26
~ 12/14/2005 11:15:12 AM ~ Nicholas- in light of pressure that we are getting
to help retirees, maybe time for us to make mandatory. If we are going to start to pick up health
ins. for retirees then we need to look at some of these.
2:48:45
~ 12/14/2005 11:16:32 AM ~ Anderson- along same line, we need to do
something. How we going to take care of
these costs?? With new people coming in.
2:49:51
~ 12/14/2005 11:17:37 AM ~ Mann- we have an actuarial done every year. It looks
at every person in system. Avg age now
is 48 yrs old. They think now that our
system is fine. Don't know about people
coming in. We are thinking that we
won't have people to replace. We are
trying to bring back some retirees.
Looking into future we think that we are in a good position. Not real sense of urgency that something is
going terribly wrong.
2:52:16
~ 12/14/2005 11:20:02 AM ~ Hines - go on to your budget
2:52:25
~ 12/14/2005 11:20:11 AM ~ Mann - pg 22 - exception budget -- on 27 people to
do work so we use lots of consultants.
Have an in-house computer system.
A Dallas firm helps us to keep this accurate. An investment consultant.
Have an audit done every year.
Contract for these people at different times during the year. All prices inc. each time. Need ability to pay these people. Need to
upgrade computers we have -2007-2008 we will be on a 6 year cycle. We must have computers up to date.
2:55:47
~ 12/14/2005 11:23:33 AM ~ Nicholas - Have 15-20 % inc. on contracts - workload
or inflation??
2:56:14
~ 12/14/2005 11:24:00 AM ~ Mann- Mainly workload - we have 13 diff money
managers. Open state real estate - req. lot more time. Have law enforcement and legislative. Lot more ques. from legislature now.
2:57:16
~ 12/14/2005 11:25:02 AM ~ Nicholas- Sure that you have contact w/ Treas.
office.
2:57:35
~ 12/14/2005 11:25:22 AM ~ Mann-We work very closely w/ them and sometimes
share consultant. Trade back our
figures. In deferred comp. exception
budget - asking for some help --p. 23
-replace some computer equipment -need help w/presentation people supplies
2:59:13
~ 12/14/2005 11:26:59 AM ~ Nicholas- Would like to have something before we can
do a budget amendment so please what mandatory contribution would be like.
2:59:59
~ 12/14/2005 11:27:45 AM ~ Mann- Sure, we can do this.
3:00:10
~ 12/14/2005 11:27:57 AM ~ Hines - all your exception req.??
3:00:23
~ 12/14/2005 11:28:09 AM ~ Mann- yes, but have a couple of other concerns. Highway fund contri - p. 14 and Game &
Fish - They agreed to pay for and they
have been getting these funds from us - their benefits. Highway Patrol - lost one of members -went
down Game & Fish is going down also
pg. 26 - This started in 2002 of unfunded liabilities
3:02:58
~ 12/14/2005 11:30:44 AM ~ Nicholas
3:03:06
~ 12/14/2005 11:30:53 AM ~ Mann- 24.5 mil left to pay of law enforcement July
of each yr until 2018 will be about 4.5 each bien.
3:04:28
~ 12/14/2005 11:32:14 AM ~ Nicholas- a little better now than 2 yrs. ago.
3:04:55
~ 12/14/2005 11:32:41 AM ~ Mann- figures at 8% / yr. looks better now
3:05:19
~ 12/14/2005 11:33:05 AM ~ Nicholas - better rates today - paper showing what
needs are
3:06:02
~ 12/14/2005 11:33:48 AM ~ Anderson- Appro and parole under that --Do law enforcement here use rule of 85??
for retirement?
3:06:57
~ 12/14/2005 11:34:43 AM ~ Mann- they do enjoy all benefits. I will research that for you . that unfunded liability was funded when they
came in last yr.
3:07:41
~ 12/14/2005 11:35:27 AM ~
3:07:45
~ 12/14/2005 11:35:31 AM ~ Anderson-
3:07:52
~ 12/14/2005 11:35:38 AM ~ Nicholas - spread sheet for us
3:09:03
~ 12/14/2005 11:36:50 AM ~ Petersen- Looking at corpus- is this done though the
Treas. office??
3:09:24
~ 12/14/2005 11:37:11 AM ~ Mann- no, through our own money managers.
3:09:42
~ 12/14/2005 11:37:28 AM ~ Petersen- in good shape??
3:09:52
~ 12/14/2005 11:37:39 AM ~ Mann- we expect to make 8% a year and we need to
avg. that over several yrs. In 2003 we
had 21%, 2004 we made 9% and so that is good.
3:11:06
~ 12/14/2005 11:38:52 AM ~ Hines - what about gov. concerns?
3:11:15
~ 12/14/2005 11:39:01 AM ~ Mann- Gov suggested 30 yrs for ins. and they would
get certain amt until age 65 and that amt would be cut in half to help pay
medicare supplement cost.
3:12:52
~ 12/14/2005 11:40:38 AM ~ Nicholas - only applying this people that are in
plan?? For schools- some districts
don't have any retirement.
3:14:04
~ 12/14/2005 11:41:50 AM ~ Mann- they would have to be employed for 4 yrs.
3:14:55
~ 12/14/2005 11:42:42 AM ~ Nicholas -
3:15:13
~ 12/14/2005 11:42:59 AM ~ Hines - only 25% of employees are on this plan??
3:15:48
~ 12/14/2005 11:43:34 AM ~ McVey - I will get this for you.
3:16:05
~ 12/14/2005 11:43:51 AM ~ Hines - any other ques.??
3:16:15
~ 12/14/2005 11:44:02 AM ~ Philp - in Buck report there are sev. suggestions,
Why are we going ahead w/this before we get all the info??
3:16:53
~ 12/14/2005 11:44:39 AM ~ Mann- Governor wanted to do it.
3:17:09
~ 12/14/2005 11:44:56 AM ~ Nicholas - no other plan for health ins??
3:17:22
~ 12/14/2005 11:45:08 AM ~ Mann- we have to talk w/them.
3:17:40
~ 12/14/2005 11:45:27 AM ~ Simpson- does CO pay all state employees a
retirement?
3:17:57
~ 12/14/2005 11:45:44 AM ~ Mann- yes, teachers too - exception law, they have
their own plan
3:18:41
~ 12/14/2005 11:46:27 AM ~ Simpson - When Buck rep gave presentation he talked
about hard #'s.
3:19:10
~ 12/14/2005 11:46:56 AM ~ Mann- I can tell you they have more.
3:20:01
~ 12/14/2005 11:47:48 AM ~ McVey - have some figures on this.
3:20:21
~ 12/14/2005 11:48:07 AM ~ Simpson - if it is opened up can you give me cost if
opened up?
3:20:59
~ 12/14/2005 11:48:46 AM ~ Hines - we had those #'s in Nov.
3:21:17
~ 12/14/2005 11:49:03 AM ~ Sommers - look in that report you got and it gives you
- your thoughts of 25% is about right.
3:22:06
~ 12/14/2005 11:49:53 AM ~ Simpson - possible for Buck to analyze the data that
they gave.
3:23:09
~ 12/14/2005 11:50:55 AM ~ Hines - could we get that??
3:23:20
~ 12/14/2005 11:51:06 AM ~ Sommers-I don't know what would cost. Mike took all the figures from their report.
3:24:52
~ 12/14/2005 11:52:39 AM ~ Simpson - if A & I can do the same quality of
work that is fine
3:25:23
~ 12/14/2005 11:53:10 AM ~ McVey - the gov. took his figures from the Buck report
for his recommendations. Look in the
report on pg. 19.
3:26:26
~ 12/14/2005 11:54:12 AM ~ Case- while we're looking at this if you use the
simple math. Might encourage people to
stay in the system. Lots of things
going on.
3:28:22
~ 12/14/2005 11:56:08 AM ~ Mann- whatever you want to talk about. I have given you a couple of reports. Do you
want to go through them??
3:29:20
~ 12/14/2005 11:57:06 AM ~ Hines - briefly
3:29:26
~ 12/14/2005 11:57:12 AM ~ Mann- Buck report - a way to see who should be in
report and who shouldn't. Has to be
some sort of factor Ref. to pg. 7 for criteria for law enforcement rec. from
Buck consult.
3:33:24
~ 12/14/2005 12:01:11 PM ~ Simpsons - what is the enhanced portion of law
enforcement??
3:33:47
~ 12/14/2005 12:01:33 PM ~ Mann- higher multiplier for them and dif disability
for them. If have been in system for 10
yrs and have non- duty related disability
you get 50% of your salary. Now the entertainment portion of our
presentation - the HB handout that I gave you All fudiciary resp. on the
trustee. If you adopt this you might
want to exclude us from this. Def. of trustee in this plan needs to get chg.
Prohibition of certain mortgage securities - need to clean up Concern I have is
term "furnished" and trustee.
Should be reworked so that we don't have to mail everything. Should have available on the internet rather
than having to mail to everyone in system.
3:41:33
~ 12/14/2005 12:09:20 PM ~ Nicholas- you don't support it?
3:41:47
~ 12/14/2005 12:09:33 PM ~ Mann- board did not decide either way. Not asking that we completely dump it. Just make couple of changes.
3:42:54
~ 12/14/2005 12:10:40 PM ~ Hines - you have other???
3:43:07
~ 12/14/2005 12:10:53 PM ~ Mann- yes, came up 2 yrs. ago - those that were
activated- they can come back and we need to have been funded again.
3:44:39
~ 12/14/2005 12:12:26 PM ~ Case-couldn't you get a gov's letter and get added
to your budget?
3:45:35
~ 12/14/2005 12:13:21 PM ~ Mann- didn't ask gov. Thought you might like to add to budget. Also, when let law enforcement to purchase
all of their service and state would pick up half. We would like to have date certain set so that we can know that shouldn't be open forever.
3:47:37
~ 12/14/2005 12:15:23 PM ~ Nicholas - have staff prepare something for that and
we get it together.
3:48:19
~ 12/14/2005 12:16:05 PM ~ Warren
3:48:26
~ 12/14/2005 12:16:12 PM ~ McVey- it is in dept and it will come up again in
that budget.
3:48:49
~ 12/14/2005 12:16:36 PM ~ Hines - Any other questions, if not lunch until 1 pm
3:50:00
~ 12/14/2005 12:17:46 PM ~ Pause
3:50:00
~ 12/14/2005 1:09:49 PM ~ Resume
3:50:14
~ 12/14/2005 1:10:03 PM ~ Mike Geesey introduced his staff & 2 members from
Banking Board. Dept. of Audit
compliance business. Without audits no verification that money owed the state
is properly paid. Support financial
function thru regular examination of banks.
$19.9m is requested. $4.1m comes
from FFunds, $76m, on accounting side asking for $4.4 to audit all state
agencies, schools, etc. Performance
measures 95% is pd. correctly. Some big
companies are at 99% compliant, some not at all. 85% of entities file in a timely manner. Financial risk rating 1.4, striving to get
to 1.2 from before.
3:55:29
~ 12/14/2005 1:15:19 PM ~ Hines - go thru exception items
3:55:44
~ 12/14/2005 1:15:33 PM ~ Geesey - requested additonal employees. Gov denied,
would like them. Need to track and do
risk assessment, support data base which tracks communities. Training required.
3:58:51
~ 12/14/2005 1:18:40 PM ~ Nicholas - dedicated auditors directed toward
schools.
3:59:09
~ 12/14/2005 1:18:58 PM ~ Geesey - yes, have 10.
3:59:23
~ 12/14/2005 1:19:12 PM ~ Nicholas - recalibration suggests we may not have
adequate information on schools.
3:59:57
~ 12/14/2005 1:19:46 PM ~ Geesey - in a learning curve started a couple of
years ago, schools are also in learning curve.
We audited one school which only could verify about 1/2 of the
transportation money. Demanded they
return 1/2 of money to school. Learning
what is expected of them. Is going to
be huge objection from some school districts over amt. they are told they need
to refund. The districts are capable of
doing this. We need to give them an
accounting system which could fulfill requirements. All districts should be on same system.
4:03:08
~ 12/14/2005 1:22:57 PM ~ Nicholas - Audit Dept. should be the entity to show
where all the money goes, become experts on model, bring more expertise.
4:03:57
~ 12/14/2005 1:23:46 PM ~ Geesey - should work with a standard accounting
system. Dept. of Ed. should handle
it. If Audit does this, we lose our
accountability to be independent. There
are 48 different accounting systems the state has already pd. for.
4:05:28
~ 12/14/2005 1:25:17 PM ~ Job - one or two people wearing more hats in small
districts - is this the problem area?
4:06:00
~ 12/14/2005 1:25:49 PM ~ Geesey - Large systems that hire CPA's also have
problems. They need to understand what
to do.
4:06:25
~ 12/14/2005 1:26:14 PM ~ Warren - p. 11 of budget book. What if you don't get this person, what
consequences?
4:07:04
~ 12/14/2005 1:26:54 PM ~ Geesey - Accountants share other jobs as needed. Personnel is being done by my admin.
asst. We now are stymied to get things
back in a timely manner - travel vouchers late. We do work with less people.
4:09:28
~ 12/14/2005 1:29:17 PM ~ Hines - on to Banking Division
4:09:45
~ 12/14/2005 1:29:35 PM ~ Geesey - self-funded from fees - requested another 3
employees. Asked for bank examiner.
Good thing to look at credit providers harder than in past. Computer equipment to stay on 3 year
cycle, $27,000 was approved by
Gov. Named some of the problems,
identity theft, terrorism, etc. fees are adequate to pay these additional
people. Less help coming from Feds.
Travel was mostly denied by Gov., 40% travel time to be raised to 60%,
all pd. by industry fees.
4:14:18
~ 12/14/2005 1:34:07 PM ~ Vogel - State Banking Commissioner, growing due to
industry, added 1, will have 4 more charters.
Full scope examination takes more time.
Become more self-reliant.
Consumer Compliance side, number of licenses have doubled. WY Brokers and Lenders Act passed last year,
now have over 800 licensees since July 1.
Also do money transmitters, pawn shops, etc. Want to expand our coverage.
Exposure to fraud and predatory land purchases increasing. 3 additional positions needed to protect
citizens, be proactive while health of industry is good. 2-3 years to train an
examiner to become effective.
Anti-money laundering, and others.
We audit effectiveness. Safety
and soundness examiner works with banks.
Add 1 compliance examiner. Add 1
admin. support person.
4:21:12
~ 12/14/2005 1:41:01 PM ~ Case - increased duties are not all in banking
area. Do the consumer credit folks pay
fees, too?
4:22:04
~ 12/14/2005 1:41:53 PM ~ Vogel - funds are co-mingled
4:22:46
~ 12/14/2005 1:42:35 PM ~ Case - list of folks?
4:23:01
~ 12/14/2005 1:42:51 PM ~ Vogel - Title 40
4:23:11
~ 12/14/2005 1:43:00 PM ~ Case - include?
4:23:28
~ 12/14/2005 1:43:17 PM ~ Geesey - State Banking Board appointed by Gov.
4:23:52
~ 12/14/2005 1:43:41 PM ~ Vogel - p. 18 of budget list statutes regulating
4:24:25
~ 12/14/2005 1:44:14 PM ~ Case - UCC - who covered?
4:24:36
~ 12/14/2005 1:44:25 PM ~ Vogel - named list
4:24:45
~ 12/14/2005 1:44:34 PM ~ Simpson - federal banks more stringently regulated
than state banks. How competition in
state's ability to audit?
4:25:26
~ 12/14/2005 1:45:15 PM ~ Vogel - they are less regulated than State
banks. More than 1 examination
group. Competition is fierce, but in WY
doing ok.
4:28:14
~ 12/14/2005 1:48:03 PM ~ Simpson - how long to process application?
4:28:28
~ 12/14/2005 1:48:18 PM ~ Vogel - if complete, can be processed within 10
working days.
4:28:46
~ 12/14/2005 1:48:35 PM ~ Anderson - credit unions oversight?
4:28:59
~ 12/14/2005 1:48:48 PM ~ Vogel - none
4:29:07
~ 12/14/2005 1:48:56 PM ~ Anderson - how view credit unions?
4:29:27
~ 12/14/2005 1:49:16 PM ~ Vogel - credit unions are federally chartered and WY
has no responsibility for them
4:29:58
~ 12/14/2005 1:49:48 PM ~ Case - how decide what entities fall under your
purview? Going thru statutes> Open interpretation?
4:30:34
~ 12/14/2005 1:50:23 PM ~ Vogel - defined by activities they perform.
4:31:29
~ 12/14/2005 1:51:18 PM ~ Case - ASC Corporation lending money, does it fall
under your purview?
4:32:06
~ 12/14/2005 1:51:55 PM ~ Vogel - yes
4:32:54
~ 12/14/2005 1:52:43 PM ~ Geesey - allow State Bank Board to testify?
4:33:17
~ 12/14/2005 1:53:06 PM ~ Hines - our rules limit testimony to agency, itself.
4:33:42
~ 12/14/2005 1:53:31 PM ~ Geesey - P. 22 additonal travel, then to p. 26 to
cover additonal travel and wages for Bank Bd.
They now get paid the same as Leg.
4:34:54
~ 12/14/2005 1:54:43 PM ~ Geesey - p. 33 Public Funds area, School section +
Local Govt. section. Additional $60K
requested. Orig. bid saw that the
companies all went to within $5,000 of the appropriation. Now we bid 4 contracts to be renewed for 4
years. Not have enough money. In danger of losing funds if don't have all
audits done. A standard budget item
allows us to know what will be spent next year. Without it, cannot contract.
Could have put into standard budget and not have to go thru process.
4:39:58
~ 12/14/2005 1:59:47 PM ~ Nicholas - Standard Budget shows increases too.
4:40:31
~ 12/14/2005 2:00:20 PM ~ Geesey - wages, utilities, telephone all computed
into standard budget increases. We know
what budget increases will be for next year on 1 yr. contracts.
4:42:22
~ 12/14/2005 2:02:11 PM ~ Nicholas - biennium budget put together. Don't follow why it is not in budget to be
evaluated.
4:43:11
~ 12/14/2005 2:03:00 PM ~ Geesey - if we know what it will cost us, plan on it.
4:43:32
~ 12/14/2005 2:03:21 PM ~ Philp - makes it easier to track increases if come in
as an exception budget.
4:44:09
~ 12/14/2005 2:03:58 PM ~ Geesey - can do it that way, Just don't like to keep coming in to ask for
money.
4:44:34
~ 12/14/2005 2:04:23 PM ~ Geesey - mineral tax division p. 37, requesting $ to
audit minerals, $7m allocated to state.
We are not being compensated adequately. Part of their goal is to provide employees to their protection. We won't get employees which will be paid by
federal before start of this FY. Need
software.
4:48:53
~ 12/14/2005 2:08:42 PM ~ Geesey - p. 40 additional travel resources, 45 - 50%
of time to Houston, Dallas, etc. where headquarters of companies are. Want some specialized equipment in gas
fields and for communication for safety.
WY Oil and Gas Commission provides this protection for their people.
4:50:56
~ 12/14/2005 2:10:45 PM ~ Petersen - litigation, whose records do you rely
upon, valuation method - are auditors trained to recognize this?
4:51:54
~ 12/14/2005 2:11:43 PM ~ Geesey - several kinds of records, the 2 field
inspectors hired last year also provides potential of information. Takes 1 1/2 - 2 years to audit a
company. Audit 3 yrs. back, Training requirement if for 40 hrs. per
year. Cheaper to send out than bring
in. Have had trouble in past but wages
are up now and easier to fill positions.
3 additional auditors have yielded $618,000 additional funds in FY 2005. Assessed $22m additional dollars. 7 year look back, have collected about 85% of what we assessed. We are being aggressive. An auditor costs about $150,000 biennium
incl. benefits to collect Mid - level
auditor makes about $45,000
4:59:30
~ 12/14/2005 2:19:19 PM ~ Petersen - how many auditors needed before reach the
apex?
5:00:03
~ 12/14/2005 2:19:52 PM ~ Geesey - try to cover 90% of dollars, do about 60
audits per year, 100 companies pay 90% of the dollars. Random audits also. Not comparing apples to apples now. Assessments have gone up, but volume has
gone up, too. 4 employees pd. for by fed.
funds. + $76m assessed, won't get all.
5:02:27
~ 12/14/2005 2:22:16 PM ~ Geesey - Excise Tax Division additional 4 auditors @
$719,900. Coal bed methane to be
highlighted. Referenced handout #11
data from Oil and Gas Commission.
$89,000 average audit, equipment brought into state that aren't
taxed. 29,000 hours needed = 6 years to
audit. Half missed as can only go back
3 years. As coal bed methane increases,
we need to kick up audits. Will give
back employees if not needed in past in same way that we gave back 5 banking
employees.
5:07:26
~ 12/14/2005 2:27:15 PM ~ Simpson - audit federal minerals
5:07:40
~ 12/14/2005 2:27:29 PM ~ Geesey - 205 Contract - does federal audits.
5:08:54
~ 12/14/2005 2:28:43 PM ~ Geesey - exception budget for 14 laptops, auditors
travel 80-90%, we pay auditors in oil & gas southern states to do audits we
would not get to. Asking for $40,000 to
get bigger bang for buck. Recovery, Inc.
audits and risk assessments for many states.
5:12:27
~ 12/14/2005 2:32:16 PM ~ Nicholas - contingency?
5:12:36
~ 12/14/2005 2:32:25 PM ~ Geesey - No, all pd. on hourly basis. Assessments.
5:13:13
~ 12/14/2005 2:33:02 PM ~ Hines - further information?
5:13:42
~ 12/14/2005 2:33:31 PM ~ Anderson - Practice when audited an agency of state?
5:14:06
~ 12/14/2005 2:33:55 PM ~ Geesey - hire a federal audit. If I get a particular request, put on
list. Elected official goes up
higher. 20-30 of them done. DOE took a lot of time.
5:15:27
~ 12/14/2005 2:35:15 PM ~ Pause
5:15:27
~ 12/14/2005 2:36:32 PM ~ Resume
5:15:41
~ 12/14/2005 2:36:46 PM ~ Hines - take 5 minute break.
5:15:56
~ 12/14/2005 2:37:01 PM ~ Pause
5:15:56
~ 12/14/2005 2:48:54 PM ~ Resume
5:15:56
~ 12/14/2005 2:48:54 PM ~
5:16:02
~ 12/14/2005 2:49:00 PM ~ Hines - Little bit of business - idea of letter this
morning and Sen Schiffer is here to make some comments
5:16:57
~ 12/14/2005 2:49:55 PM ~ Schiffer - Sen Job and I met with the Task Force- one
of prog that seems to be working.
LEEAP- works can apply to this fund if they are getting close to having
heat turned off - usually 9K will apply.
Think that they are going to have 14K to apply. Will run out of money with this prog in
March. We can help people . We don't want them to run out of money. Task Force made was to trans 4mil out of
tax credit fund to LEEAP. Could
withdraw some money without having to budget money from other sources. People in our state don't usually try to
defraud us.
5:24:05
~ 12/14/2005 2:57:03 PM ~ Job- I made comments this morning.
5:24:37
~ 12/14/2005 2:57:35 PM ~ Jorgensen- This is through LEEAP program. Do you think that committee should send
letter to executive branch rather than indiv. letters??
5:25:48
~ 12/14/2005 2:58:46 PM ~ Schiffer - that prog hasn't been used and the ex. branch
should know that we think money could be used.
5:27:47
~ 12/14/2005 3:00:45 PM ~ Meuli- what is NOWCAP in Casper? Is it an outgrowth that was in Cody and NW
WY?
5:28:50
~ 12/14/2005 3:01:48 PM ~ Schiffer - I don't know much about it. I think that it is for developmentally
disabled to help get jobs.
5:29:54
~ 12/14/2005 3:02:52 PM ~ Jones - there is one of their offices in Powell, but
I don't know much about it.
5:30:18
~ 12/14/2005 3:03:16 PM ~ Philp - I think that committee has a responsibility to
bring this to the attention to the gov.
I think that we could tell him we have found some money. I move that we tell him to transfer up to 4
mil $$ from tax relief fund which hasn't been used much.
5:32:54
~ 12/14/2005 3:05:52 PM ~ Anderson stressed his support of the idea.
5:33:54
~ 12/14/2005 3:06:52 PM ~ Nicholas- Steve where is the tax relief fund?
5:34:45
~ 12/14/2005 3:07:43 PM ~ Sommers - It is in revenue and we can transfer up to
5% out of their fund. 3.8-4 mil $$ is
well within the parameters.
5:37:04
~ 12/14/2005 3:10:02 PM ~ Case- don't think this should be a committee
action. We should do it
individually. I support the move, but
not as a committee.
5:37:50
~ 12/14/2005 3:10:48 PM ~ Hines - The last time when DFS came to us it was a different
situation.
5:38:49
~ 12/14/2005 3:11:47 PM ~ Jorgensen- Could we not ask him to send his letter??
5:39:29
~ 12/14/2005 3:12:27 PM ~ Hines - motion before us that we are letting him know
we support this idea.
5:41:04
~ 12/14/2005 3:14:02 PM ~ Meuli- I
think that we need to have some accounting of this money. I have seen so much of the time that money
5:42:49
~ 12/14/2005 3:15:47 PM ~ Philp- motion is to send a letter saying that the JAC
is aware of the situation and that we would like for him to B-11 money from tax
relief fund into LEEAP program.
5:44:10
~ 12/14/2005 3:17:07 PM ~ Jorgensen- I
would like him also to replenish the tax relief fund.
5:44:49
~ 12/14/2005 3:17:46 PM ~ Philp- I think that we can do that by action of the
committee.
5:45:02
~ 12/14/2005 3:18:00 PM ~ Simpson- I think that it should be a rec. after the
Task Force and that it be only a recommendation.
5:45:46
~ 12/14/2005 3:18:44 PM ~ Hines - motion carried by Aye vote.
5:46:12
~ 12/14/2005 3:19:10 PM ~ Hines- Mr. Geesey you are back on - for Collection
Agency Board
5:46:46
~ 12/14/2005 3:19:44 PM ~ Geesey- need additional travel money and
reimbursement - Please move money from Collection Agency Board to Audit.
5:48:34
~ 12/14/2005 3:21:32 PM ~ Hines questions on Collection Agency Board.. Now we are ready to hear from the
Environment Quality Council.
5:50:13
~ 12/14/2005 3:23:10 PM ~ Terri Lorenzon - Have been an independent
agency. All of our work has come from
DEQ. I am the attorney for them. We do all rules and regulations. DEQ sends us contested case hearings. WE have lots of water quality cases, coal
bed methane related cases. We have to approve
DEQ actions, etc. We have solid
wastes, We have very few line
items. We travel around the state - we
try to go where citizens are affected.
I have a very small staff - trying to keep council off road , are trying
to do more web conferences- more web based meetings. Also to help our public.
John Cora has offered to help us with this web based mtg. That should help.
6:01:17
~ 12/14/2005 3:34:15 PM ~ Simpson - can you help me with what you contract
out??
6:02:00
~ 12/14/2005 3:34:58 PM ~ Lorenzon - Have contracted out work to do things that
we don't have time to do.
6:03:13
~ 12/14/2005 3:36:11 PM ~ Simpson, where are these contracts in your budget?
6:05:47
~ 12/14/2005 3:38:45 PM ~ Lorenzon- DEQ has 3 citizens sounding board -
eventually DEQ sends me their concerns and asks for rulemaking. We go to areas in state and we talk to
citizens in open meeting with the board.
Explains the proces.
6:10:37
~ 12/14/2005 3:43:35 PM ~ Nicholas - on 2 issues on salary - Pay equities on
salary.
6:11:59
~ 12/14/2005 3:44:56 PM ~ Lorenzen - because we are so small there is not much
flex room.
6:13:44
~ 12/14/2005 3:46:42 PM ~ Nicholas - do you know what A & I rec.
6:14:31
~ 12/14/2005 3:47:28 PM ~ Lorenzen
6:15:20
~ 12/14/2005 3:48:18 PM ~ Nicholas- the hard part is trying to deal with your
own salary in nice way.
6:16:24
~ 12/14/2005 3:49:22 PM ~ Hines - Dist Attorney - Jon Forwood Thank you for coming on short notice.
6:18:05
~ 12/14/2005 3:51:03 PM ~ Forwood - I'm not running for re-election so this is
my last budget. Tried to set forth in
narrative. My office is heavily for prosecutors. We have 6 prosecutors. We
are still struggling to keep up. A
couple of my attorneys are paid under fed. grants. One of them ends in 17 days.
We need to keep these people on board w/funding. The funding disappears June 30th and you
need to keep these people on. You sent
these drug attorneys and they are very busy.
WE don't have staff available to send in to other courtrooms. We don't have the staff to help. I will only be there for one more year. Our staffing issues are really getting
critical. You will have a new DA next
year. I don't envy the next DA. Everything is getting out of hand - inc.
from $800-$2000 for murder case autopsy.
6:33:34
~ 12/14/2005 4:06:32 PM ~ Hines - any ques.
I have one. Do you know the
statue # that the legislature created your funding?
6:35:49
~ 12/14/2005 4:08:47 PM ~ Forwood -
6:36:31
~ 12/14/2005 4:09:29 PM ~ Petersen - In laramic cty and Natrona - are case loads the same??
6:37:04
~ 12/14/2005 4:10:02 PM ~ Forwood - They seem to be about the same.
6:37:31
~ 12/14/2005 4:10:29 PM ~ Petersen - do you contract out services?
6:37:47
~ 12/14/2005 4:10:45 PM ~ Forwood - we are trying to get wireless so we don't
have to have judges leaving their courtroom.
We also contract with others to have some other services done.
6:39:40
~ 12/14/2005 4:12:37 PM ~ Stop Recording
6:39:40
~ 12/14/2005 4:12:37 PM ~