Title
Consider recommendation from the Finance/Administrative Committee to amend the 2019 EAA Operating Budget by increasing the General Fund appropriation by $241,419 and increasing the Habitat Conservation Plan Fund by $409,606.
Body
RECOMMENDED MOTION:
Move the board amend the 2019 EAA Operating budget by increasing the General Fund appropriation for Professional Technical Services and Property Services by $409,606 and increasing the Habitat Conservation Plan Fund appropriation for Professional Technical Services by $409,606.
SUMMARY:
The purpose of this agenda item is for the board to consider a Finance/Administrative Committee recommendation to amend the 2019 EAA Operating budget by increasing the appropriation for the General Fund and Habitat Conservation Fund by a total of $651,025 (General Fund: $241,419; Habitat Conservation Plan Fund: $409,606). These amendments are necessary to finance projects and initiatives that were funded in 2018, however, due to timing and other factors the work on these projects did not commence or conclude during the 2018 fiscal year. The projects associated with the Habitat Conservation Plan Fund were considered on the previous agenda item. The projects associated with this amendment are highlighted below:
Habitat Conservation Fund amendment: $409,606
• City of San Marcos in the amount of $309,606. These funds will allow for the conclusion of the stream restoration engineering design and construction along the San Marcos River.
• City of New Braunfels in the amount of $100,000. These funds will allow for the conclusion construction of a bio-retention basin.
General Fund amendment: $241,419
• Allied-SCSS in the amount of $50,000. The EAA engaged Allied-SCSS to assist EAA staff with outreach and development of a technical assistance program for outside vendors. This program is part of the broader EAA Inclusion Initiative commencing in 2019 to enhance the EAA’s profile as a community steward and raise awareness of minority participation and in procurement efforts.
• Texas A&M (Mr. Rudy Rosen) in the amount of $5,419. The EAA engaged the services of Mr. Rudy Rosen through Texas A&M - San Antonio University to develop a long-range strategic plan for the Edwards Aquifer Conservancy (EAC). Mr. Rosen’s efforts commenced after the hiring of Senior Director for Communications and Development in July of 2018. The EAC strategic planning process will conclude in 2019.
• Seco Creek Head Gate in the amount of $186,000. This project is the redesign and construction of a new head gate at the Seco Creek to control the volume of flow in a diversion channel between Seco Creek and a large natural sinkhole.
The attached spreadsheet summarizes the proposed amendments discussed above.
At the January 22 meeting, the Finance/Administrative Committee voted to recommend the board amend the 2019 EAA Operating budget by increasing the General Fund appropriation for Professional Technical Services and Property Services by $409,606 and increasing the Habitat Conservation Plan Fund appropriation for Professional Technical Services by $409,606.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The effect of these amendments will be to increase the 2019 Operating Budget by $651,025 (General Fund: $241,419; Habitat Conservation Fund: $409,606) and reducing the operating reserves in General Fund and Habitat Conservation Fund by the same amount.