Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation

The Enacted Budget makes the following changes to the proposed Executive Budget (May 1, 2003):

·        Denies the Executive’s proposal to shift the funding for 18 positions to the Environmental Protection Fund (EPF).

·        Adds $1,356,000 in maintenance undistributed to the Parks Operation Program to support personal services expenses and costs associated with the EPF related positions.

The 30-day amendments to the Executive Budget recommend (analysis as of March 5, 2003):

·        Adding a $650,000 Special Revenue-Other appropriation in the Park Operations Program’s I Love NY Water Account for services and expenses related to boating access and maintenance, which is funded by a new boating access surcharge fee.  This appropriation can be transferred to the Office’s capital projects fund or aid to localities budget.

The Executive Budget recommends (analysis as of February 7, 2003):

·        A projected FTE fill level of 1,526, which is a decrease of 63 positions.  Virtually all of these positions are in the Parks operations program and are General Fund items.  The reduction in workforce is expected to be met through an early retirement incentive.

·        The adjusted FTE workforce for 3/31/03 is 82 FTEs lower than the 3/31/03 FTE workforce that was estimated in the SFY 2002-03 Executive Budget.  These are also primarily General Fund items and are found in the following program areas: Administration (9), Historic Preservation (7), and Park Operations (62).

·        The OPRHP budget is reduced by only .8%, as the $15.7 million reduction in General Fund appropriations is offset by a $14.4 million increase in Special Revenue-Other.

·        A total personal service decrease of $10.7 million, including $5.7 million attributable to the early retirement incentive and a shift of $1 million to the Environmental Protection Fund in the Department of Environmental Conservation reflecting the shift of 18 positions, and $4.1 million from savings related to the shift of operation and maintenance costs at Art Park, Coles Creek, Niagara Reservation State Park and Robert Moses State Park to the New York State Power Authority (NYPA).

·        A personal service decrease of $9.7 million, or 12%, and a $4.3 million decrease in nonpersonal service in the Park Operations program.  This decrease is partially offset by a proposed $14 million add in Special Revenue-Other.  However, this still results in a decrease of approximately $3.2 million in personal services in the Park Operations program which reflects the anticipated two year total reduction of 125 FTEs in the Park Operations program.

·        The proposed Special Revenue add of $14 million is found in the Patron Services Account and is earmarked for personal services, nonpersonal services, and fringe benefits.  The $6.6 million increase for personal services in this account is comprised of $4.1 million related to the NYPA’s operational and maintenance cost payments; $2.3 million for Jones Beach Theatre reflecting the movement from a maintenance undistributed appropriation in SFY 2002-03 to a personal service appropriation in SFY 2003-04; $150,000 from expected increased revenue from the Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC); and $50,000 in additional costs due to changes of certain park hours.  The $6.4 million increase for nonpersonal service expenses in the Patron Services Account is comprised of $2.5 million from an administrative user fee increase at State parks; $2.35 million related to NYPA’s operational and maintenance cost payments; $1.4 million for Jones Beach Theatre costs; and $150,000 from expected increased revenues form SPAC.  The $1.4 million increase for fringe benefits is related to NYPA and Jones Beach Theatre.

·        A $5 million decrease in nonpersonal service costs, including $2.5 million attributable to General Fund savings from an administrative increase in user fees at State parks; $2.35 million from costs savings related to the shift of operation and in maintenance costs to NYPA at the four State parks mentioned above; and $150,000 from projected additional revenues generated at SPAC.

·        Capital Projects funds that include an appropriation of $29.6 million for the State Parks Infrastructure Fund (SPIF).  This is a decrease of $35,000 from SFY 2002-03 levels.  Proposes a suballocation of up to $10 million from the Environmental Conservation to fund SPIF projects.  EPF resources in the same amount were used to support SPIF in SFY 2002-03.

·        Proposed legislation to double triennial boat registration fees.  The fee increase would generate an estimated $1.3 million in SFY 2003-04 and $2.7 million each year thereafter for the General Fund and reimbursement to counties for Navigation Law Enforcement.