DEP Environmental Protection Invoices, 1999-2001

NYC 9/11 Public Portal Document

Both our OMB Task Force and DEP budget staff have agreed that baseline corrective actions are needed to alleviate PS budget and headcount pressures. In the January Plan OMB approved a DEP self-funding proposal to e'ans&er 37 million of baseline OTPS funding to the PS budget. I believe that additional corrective actions must be taken as part of the Executive Budget process and to that end I propose the following:

(t) Address the remainder of the Personal Service budget shortfall - I believe the enormity of the shortfall and its current and potential impacts on critical operations dictate resolution of the problem in its entirety. This can be accomplished through additional OTPS to PS funding switches, as a recognized new need or some combination of both. We have presented a plan to our Task Force that would establish and enforce new internal PS budget controls to prevent the occurrence of future shortfalls, That plan is dependent upon the receipt by each unit of appropriation of adequate baseline PS funding.

(2) Provide headcount "relief" - I understand that headcount increases present a serious issue for the City. Unfortunately, DEP faces increased mandates in many critical areas and can no longer reallocate vacancies to meet those mandates, Most of the programs approved in the FY 2001 Executive Budget have not been implemented because the associated headcount increases (totaling 51) were not provided. In the FY 2002 Executive process, we will request restoration of that headcount and an additional 100 enhancement positions. To reduce the impact of such a headcount increase, we propose an IFA to Expense headcount and funding switch. On a monthly basis DEP averages 125 IFA vacancies out of an headcount of 823. The high vacancy rate is due to the difficulty in authorized recruiting engineering positions and, as a result, the Agency has become more reliant upon consultant contracts. We therefore believe that at least half of the IFA vacancies can be switched to the expense budget without any impact on our capital plan. (3) Process personnel actions in a more expeditious manner - Resolution of PS budget and headcount issues are the first two important steps toward ensuring the Agency continues to meet its mandates, maximize customer service, achieve revenue targets and preserve its excellent bond rating. We must also be able to hire and promote staff in a more timely fashion.

I will be calling in the near future to schedule a meeting with you and your staff to address these pressing budget issues. I look forward to meeting with you.

Sr., F.E.

c: Deputy Mayor Joseph Lh

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NYC-WTC 000137870