Minutes 20210210110443.Pdf
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
MINUTES EXECUTIVE OFFICES AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE APPROPRIATIONS SUBCOMMITTEE Tuesday, February 2, 2021|8:00 a.m.|120 Senate Building Members Present: Rep. Carol Spackman Moss Sen. Derrin R. Owens, Senate Chair Rep. Stephanie Pitcher Rep. Craig Hall, House Chair Rep. Angela Romero Rep. Cheryl K. Acton, House Vice Chair Sen. Curtis S. Bramble Members Absent: Sen. Wayne A. Harper Sen. Kirk A. Cullimore Sen. Don L. Ipson Rep. James A. Dunnigan Sen. Derek L. Kitchen Rep. Kera Birkeland Staff Present: Rep. Jefferson S. Burton Gary R. Syphus, Finance Manager Rep. Joel Ferry Alexander R. Wilson, Financial Analyst Rep. Matthew H. Gwynn Linda Service, Committee Secretary Note: A copy of related materials and an audio recording of the meeting can be found at www.le.utah.gov. 1 . Call to Order/Approval of Minutes Chair Hall called the meeting to order at 8:05 a.m. 2 . Governor's Office Alex Wilson, Financial Analyst, Office of the Legislative Fiscal Analyst, introduced the Governor's Office. 2-Governor's Office Presentation Sofia DiCaro, Executive Director, Governor's Office of Management and Budget (GOMB), introduced her team. Duncan Evans, Budget Manager (GOMB), commented on staffing changes in the Governor's Office. He requested additional funds and a restoration of funds for the Governor's Office. Sen. Harper expressed his support for the request. Mr. Evans continued his presentation with a request for a Homeless Services Coordinator. Nate Tally, Deputy Director and Chief Economist, GOMB, commented on a study by the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute for a state consumer confidence index. Mr. Evans continued his presentation requesting one-time and ongoing funding for the study. He noted it is a good tool and a good partnership with the Kem C. Gardner Institute which has a long term value. Mr. Evans provided clarification for the Social Services Blueprint. Justin Lee, Director of Elections, Lt. Governor's Office, addressed voter turnout for the 2020 election and requested funds for the Municipal Incorporation Fund. Evan Curtis, State Planning Coordinator, GOMB, addressed the LeRay McAllister Critical Lands Conservation Fund. He expressed the need to balance urban growth, open space, recreation and agricultural land, and provided a background on the fund. The purpose of the fund is to preserve and restore open lands in the state. He reviewed some projects funded through the fund and noted that the LeRay McAllister Fund is about leaving a legacy for the next generation and improving our quality of life. Page 1 of 3 EXECUTIVE OFFICES AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE APPROPRIATIONS SUBCOMMITTEE February 2, 2021 Rep. Ferry requested funds for the "LeRay McAllister Fund" - $7,350,000 one-time. Evan Curtis responded to a question from Rep. Burton who spoke of the great value of the LeRay McAllister Fund and asked if there is a method or an FTE that manages the fund and what the process is to take care of incumbered lands. MOTION: Rep. Ferry moved to approve the minutes of the January 21, 2021, January 25, 2021, January 27, 2021, and the January 29, 2021 meetings. The motion passed with a vote of 13 - 0 - 3. Yeas-13 Nays-0 Absent-3 Rep. C. Acton Sen. K. Cullimore Rep. K. Birkeland Rep. J. Dunnigan Sen. C. Bramble Sen. D. Kitchen Rep. J. Burton Rep. J. Ferry Rep. M. Gwynn Rep. C. Hall Sen. W. Harper Sen. D. Ipson Rep. C. Moss Sen. D. Owens Rep. S. Pitcher Rep. A. Romero 3 . State Auditor's Association John Dougall, Utah State Auditor, introduced his office's mission and objectives. He explained the makeup of the Office and highlighted Utah government finances. 3-State Auditor Presentation Auditor Dougall responded to a clarifying question asked by Rep. Gwynn related to the power user access. Auditor Dougall continued his presentation specific to Project Kids assisted by Kaylee Hodgson, Senior Research Analyst. A discussion followed with Auditor Dougall responding to questions from several committee members. Topics included: equalization, capital spending, and teacher salaries. The Project Kids presentation continued highlighting peer school comparisons. Auditor Dougall reported on a health cost tool, financial audit reports, local government oversight, subpoena issues, and special projects. Auditor Dougall responded to Rep. Ferry's question of, "How do you determine when to pursue an audit?" He then continued his presentation discussing the budget for his office and requested funding. Rep. Moss thanked Auditor Dougall for his work, especially the audit of Banjo. She asked how the decision was made to take on the project. Sen. Owens thanked Auditor Dougall and his team for their work and asked him to comment on the amount of growth in his office over his tenure. 4 . Legislator Requests for Appropriations Sen. Weiler requested an appropriation for "DNA Identification in Utah" - $50,000 one- time - assisted by Karra Porter, CEO, Intermountain Forensics. Page 2 of 3 EXECUTIVE OFFICES AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE APPROPRIATIONS SUBCOMMITTEE February 2, 2021 Sen. Anderegg requested an appropriation for "Law Enforcement Data Management" - $50,000 one-time and $200,000 ongoing. Tom Ross, Executive Director, Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice, assisted. Rep. Watkins distributed a handout, "Rural Economic Development Playbook" and requested an appropriation for "Regional Development Planning and Implementation Program" - $540,000 one-time. Stewart Clayson, Regional Growth Director, Utah Association of Counties, Geri Gamber, Southeastern Utah Association of Local Governments, Commissioner Garth Tooter Ogden, former Sevier County Commissioner, and Travis Kyhl, Six County Association of Governments, assisted. Rural Economic Development Playbook Sen. Johnson requested an appropriation for "Social Services Data Analytics Deep Dive Project" - $30,000 one-time. Rep. Acton assumed the chair and requested clarification on the use of data for the project. David Stringfellow, Deputy State Auditor, State Auditor's Office, spoke in support of Sen. Johnson's request. MOTION: Rep. Burton moved to adjourn. The motion passed with a vote of 8 - 0 - 8. Yeas-8 Nays-0 Absent-8 Rep. C. Acton Rep. K. Birkeland Rep. J. Burton Sen. C. Bramble Sen. W. Harper Sen. K. Cullimore Sen. D. Ipson Rep. J. Dunnigan Sen. D. Kitchen Rep. J. Ferry Rep. C. Moss Rep. M. Gwynn Rep. S. Pitcher Rep. C. Hall Rep. A. Romero Sen. D. Owens Chair Acton adjourned the meeting at 10:25 a.m. Page 3 of 3.