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2014 Session

Budget Amendments - SB30 (Member Request)

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Chief Patron: Hanger
Restore State Park Funding

Item 358 #3s

Item 358 #3s

First Year - FY2015 Second Year - FY2016
Natural Resources
Conservation and Recreation, Department of FY2015 $3,451,289 FY2016 $3,451,289 GF

Language
Page 302, line 1, strike "$58,920,064" and insert "$62,371,353".
Page 302, line 1, strike "$58,920,064" and insert "$62,371,353".


Explanation
(This amendment restores funding for State Parks. For the past several years the Virginia State Park system has been maintaining its operations through a combination of increasing revenues and diverting funds from salary vacancies into operational needs. This practice is unsustainable over the long term. At the beginning of FY 2014 the Division of State Parks had 59 vacancies out of a full MEL of 268 (22% vacancy rate). Filling all vacancies open as of July 1, 2013 would require salary and benefit costs of $3,451,289 ($58,496 per vacancy). This request would allow the agency to return to full employment levels and restore moneys that have been diverted from other critical needs such as routine and preventive maintenance, equipment, and training. State Parks have also been forced to supplement the workforce with wage employees, but the annual hour limitations of the Affordable Care Act no longer make this possible.)