Department of Civil Service

The Executive Budget recommends (analysis as of January 26, 2008):

A FY 2008-09 workforce of 584, an increase of 11 FTEs from the adjusted FTE level for FY 2007-08.  The adjusted SFY 2007-08 FTEs reflect the restoration of 30 FTEs by the Legislature for the testing, human resources, and information technology programs. Even with these restorations and additional proposed positions the workforce of the Department of Civil Service is reduced by 160 FTEs since SFY 1994-95 (22%). Their ability to enforce the merit system has been severely constrained by this overall reduction in their workforce. The following chart identifies adjustments in current fiscal years FTEs along with the recommended differences in FY 2007-08 FTEs by program (if the FTE’s are the same the program is not listed):

• The total appropriation for Personal Service is $38.45 million, an increase of $1.85 million (5.1%).

• An All Funds increase of $3.4 million, (5.3%) from SFY 2007-08.

• Five FTEs are added to the Personnel Benefit Services program to increase audit recoveries. These audits will review health benefits eligibility of dependents.

• The following programs show a decrease in the personal service funding that it is not associated with a decrease in FTEs. These funding and position changes should be clarified with management.
  • Administration and Information Management, -$64,000 in General Fund personal services despite an increase in 3 FTEs.  There is an increase in personal service in the Internal Service Fund, which does not show a change in FTEs
  • Local Civil Service program (no FTE change), -$81,000

• The 8 additional FTEs in the Personnel Benefit Services program are supported by an increase in the Health Insurance Internal Service Fund personal service appropriation (+$1.1 million). This increase is greater than the cost of these positions, which, according to the Assembly budget analysis, is $713,000.  Its purpose should be clarified at labor management.

• In January 2009 the current coverage for retirees will be converted to a contracted Medicare part D plan to recoup greater Federal reimbursement and decrease GASB liability by about 3 billion.  An estimated $60 million in savings for state and local employers is estimated when fully implemented.

• According to the Executive Budget Agency Presentation the Department of Civil Service will be developing an Integrated Testing System (ITS) to enhance the quality and timeliness of test scoring, list certifications and employee placements. 

• The Department of Civil Service employed an estimated 43 employees under consultant contracts in SFY 2007-08 at an estimated cost of $2.9 million or an average cost of $68,283 per consultant contract employee.  It is estimated that the number of employees employed under consultant contracts will be 34 in SFY 2008-09, at an estimated cost of $3.2 million, or $93,233 per consultant employee.

• Article 7 legislation which would authorize the department to recover its costs for it statutorily required review, approval and monitoring of  New York City’s and other public employers plan to reduce the number of provisional employees.