Department of Transportation

The Executive Budget recommends (analysis as of January 22, 2008):

A FY 2008-09 workforce of 10,593.  This is an increase of 322 FTEs from the adjusted FTE level for FY 2007-08.  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 $315.5 million, an increase of .4 %.  While most PS&T positions are funded out of Capital Projects Funds, the total Personal Service increase (State Operations and Capital Projects) totals approximately $1.2 million and is not sufficient to fund the 322 new FTEs.  The source of funding for these new positions should be clarified at Labor/Management.

• An All Funds State Operations increase of $647,000 from SFY 2007-08 or 1.3%, and an All Funds Capital Projects increase of $192.5 million, or 4.33%.

• Asserts that a total of 339 new positions (however, with attrition FTEs are increased by 322) are provided to support the new State and Local Bridge Preservation Program including staff for additional bridge maintenance crews and State and Local contract oversight.  Another 30 preventative maintenance positions will enhance the Department’s ability to maintain its heavy equipment and reduce reliance on outside repair work.  The Budget also includes 25 new positions to replace consultant contracts for information technology and bridge inspection with State staff.  A total of 22 positions will be eliminated due to administrative automation and efficiencies.

• Adds 55 new positions for functions currently performed by consultant staff.  These activities include information technology, bridge inspection and equipment management and are estimated to generate almost $1.6 million in annual cost savings upon full implementation in 2009-10.

• An estimated 1,233 employees employed under consulting contracts which is a decrease of 7 consulting employees.  There is a decrease of approximately $1 million in disbursements for consulting contracts.  The average cost per consulting employee is approximately $164,000 is essentially unchanged from 2007-08.

• Proposes a $2.8 million increase, or 37% in contractual services in the Capital Project Management & Traffic Safety Program.  The reason for this sharp increase should be sought at L/M.

• Proposes a $1.17 million, or 750% increase in contractual services in the Real Estate Services Program and increases of $1.1 million, or 745% for travel and $647,000, or 640% for supplies and materials in this program.  The reason for this sharp increase should be sought at L/M.

• Proposes legislation to permanently extend the single audit program for recipients of State transportation assistance. PEF opposed a similar proposal last year and a one-year extension was given to allow DOT to issue the required reports.

• Proposes legislation to amend Insurance Law § 9110 to rename the Motor Vehicle Law Enforcement fee the Motor Vehicle Law Enforcement and Highway Safety fee. It increases the fee from $5 to $20, and dedicates $5 of the increase to support the State Police, and another $10 to support a new bridge safety initiative housed within the Dedicated Highway and Bridge Trust Fund. This fee was last increased, from $1 to $5, in 2003.  Enactment of this language is necessary to implement the 2008-2009 Executive Budget as it will generate $194 million and is necessary to support the 300 new FTEs.

• It is also important to note that this year DOT is required by Chapter 384 of the Laws of 2007 to submit a new five-year capital program before March 31, 2008.  This accelerates the timeline for the development of the new capital program, which would span the period from 2009-2014 – providing for one year of overlap with the existing 2005-2010 Capital Program.  To date, there remains an estimated $118,500,000 funding gap in the out-years of the 2005-2010 Program.  Moreover, according to Commissioner Glynn’s testimony during the 2007 Transportation Capital Budget Hearing, over a twenty year time frame there is an estimated $175.2 billion in capital needs that should be addressed.