BOARD MEETING DATE: November 4, 2005
AGENDA NO. 12

Add and Delete Positions in FY 2005-06 Budget

SYNOPSIS:

Due to the significant increase in long-term funding for State incentive programs, staffing levels need to be augmented to administer these programs. This action is to add two Contracts Assistant positions in Science and Technology Advancement to handle the additional contract-processing workload. The cost associated with adding the two positions would be covered under Carl Moyer and Clean Fuels Programs. Additionally, to enhance staffing flexibility in Planning, Rule Development and Area Sources and in Public Affairs, staff recommends, in the former, deleting a vacant Meteorologist position and adding an Air Quality Specialist position, and in the latter, deleting a vacant Public Affairs Specialist position and adding a Senior Public Information Specialist position. The fiscal year salary and benefit cost of these actions is approximately $86,330.

COMMITTEE:

Administrative, October 14, 2005. Less than a quorum was present during the discussion of this item; those Committee Members who were present communicated their concurrence.

RECOMMENDED ACTION:

Adopt the recommendations summarized in Exhibit A.

Barry R. Wallerstein, D.Env.
Executive Officer

Background

Technology Advancement administers the Clean Fuels Program, funded by State motor vehicle fees, to promote development and demonstration of clean fuels and related advanced pollution control technologies that can be used in the local area. Priorities for this fiscal year include fuel cells for transportation and power generation, diesel alternatives, electric and hybrid electric technologies, off-road applications of alternative fuel technologies, VOC reduction technologies for stationary sources, and infrastructure development. In addition, the unit administers other State programs, such as the Carl Moyer Program, under SB 1107 and AB 923, and the AB 923 Lower-Emissions School Bus Replacement Program, aimed at accelerating progress to reduce air emissions. These programs require administering large volumes of contracts. In addition, AQMD must provide annual reports to the State on the timely implementation of these programs. Additional staffing is needed to administer these programs in a timely and effective manner.

The recommended actions, in Planning, Rule Development and Area Sources, to delete a vacant Meteorologist position and add an Air Quality Specialist position, and in Public Affairs, to delete a vacant Public Affairs Specialist and add a Senior Public Information Specialist, will enhance staffing flexibility, and the exchange of positions will permit a broader range of duties to be performed.

Proposal

The attached exhibit identifies positions proposed to be added and deleted. Specifically, staff recommends adding two Contracts Assistant positions in Science and Technology Advancement to handle the large volume of contracts processing associated with Carl Moyer and Clean Fuels projects. In Planning, Rule Development and Area Sources, the recommendation is to delete a vacant Meteorologist position and add an Air Quality Specialist position. And in Public Affairs, the recommendation is to delete a vacant Public Affairs Specialist position and add a Senior Public Information Specialist position.

Resource Impacts

Based on current Board-approved benefits and top-step salaries, the annual cost of these changes is approximately $153,520. The FY 2005-06 cost is approximately $86,330. The cost of the two Contracts Assistant positions ($124,030 annually; $72,351 for FY 2005-06) will be paid from Carl Moyer and Clean Fuels Program funding. Sufficient funds are available in the FY 2005-06 Budget for the exchange of a Meteorologist for an Air Quality Specialist position in Planning, Rule Development and Area Sources ($1,572 annually; $917 for FY 2005-06), and for the exchange of a Public Affairs Specialist for a Senior Public Information Specialist position in Public Affairs ($27,918 annually; $13,062 for FY 2005-06).

Attachment

Exhibit A – Recommendation to Add & Delete Positions

EXHIBIT A

RECOMMENDATION TO ADD & DELETE POSITIONS
 

Organizational Unit	Class	No. of Positions	Recommendation	Total Annual Top-Step Salary & Benefits Cost
Science & Technology Advancement	Contracts Assistant	2	Add positions	$124,030
Planning, Rule Development & Area Sources	Meteorologist	1	Delete position	[$103,789]
	Air Quality Specialist	1	Add position	$105,361
Public Affairs	Public Affairs Specialist	1	Delete position	[$78,510]
	Sr. Public Information Specialist	1	Add position	$106,428

/ / /