DEPARTMENT: Economic Development
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Rene Dominguez
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: City Wide
SUBJECT:
Workforce Solutions Alamo Board Interim Budget and Appointments
SUMMARY:
An ordinance approving the Workforce Solutions Alamo (WSA) Interim Annual Operating Budget for FY 2013-2014 and appointments to the WSA Board of Directors as recommended by the Committee of Six on September 20, 2013 for submission to the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC).
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) is the state agency which oversees and provides workforce development funding for services to employers and job seekers in Texas. The TWC, by statute, is required to provide funding and services through 28 regional workforce boards, including the locally-developed Workforce Solutions Alamo (WSA). The WSA serves Atascosa, Bandera, Bexar, Comal, Frio, Gillespie, Guadalupe, Karnes, Kendall, Kerr, Medina and Wilson counties (the "WSA Service Area").
The WSA Board is an appointed group of 25 individuals who represent business, education, economic development, community organizations and government. Board members are appointed to three-year terms and may serve two consecutive terms. The primary role of the WSA Board is to align, focus and set direction for all workforce activities in the WSA Service Area and execute/manage an annual workforce budget approximately $67 million in federal and state workforce funding.
As required by statute, the City, Bexar County, and the 11 other counties ("the Principals") have entered into an Interlocal Agreement with the Chief Elected Officials (CEOs) of the WSA Service Area to oversee the planning, budgeting, administration, and execution of WSA programs. The CEOs include the 12 county judges and the Mayor. The CEOs have established a "Committee of Six" to carry out their duties and responsibilities, which include recommending to the Principals the appointment of members to the WSA Board and approval of the WSA Board Operating Budget and Planning Estimates. Presently, Mayor Julián Castro and Councilman Ray Lopez, Council District 6, represent the City on the Committee of Six with Councilman Diego Bernal, Council District 1, serving as an alternate member.
Proposed Interim WSA Area Board Budget for FY2013-2014
The proposed interim Workforce Solutions Alamo Budget for FY 2013-2014 (attached) was considered and recommended for approval by the Committee of Six on August 21, 2013. This proposed Budget consists of an planning estimate of $67 million in Federal and State funding sources, including approximately $39.2 million for child care services; $22.7 million to staff and operate 16 contract service centers in the 12-county area serving WIA Adult, WIA Youth, WIA Dislocated, Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF), SNAP Employment & Training (SNAP E&T) and SNAP E&T-ABAWD participants; $1.3 million for Just-in-Time training to support the manufacturing, IT and aerospace industries; and $3.8 million for the WSA corporate operating budget.
WSA Board of Directors Appointments
WSA Board members are appointed to three-year terms and may only serve two consecutive full terms. Attached are the resumes and applications of each of the members seeking appointment to the WSA Board.
On September 20, 2013, the Committee of Six reviewed applications and recommended the following re-appointments for Places 7, 12 in the Business category; Place 15 for Community-Based Organization category; Place 18, for the Education category, and to fill a vacancy in Place 20, Economic Development category. All appointments will fill terms beginning January 1, 2014 and ending December 31, 2016, for consideration and approval by City Council and the other Principals:
Business and Commerce Category (2 Appointments):
Mr. Tod Bruning, Technical Training Manager, Rackspace Hosting, in San Antonio, Texas for Place 7 (Re-appointment)
Ms. Jacqueline Burandt, Senior Director, University Health System, in San Antonio, Texas for Place 12 (Re-appointment)
Community-Based Organization Category (1 Appointment):
Ms. Cathy Valdez, Executive Director, Project Mend, in San Antonio, Texas for Place 15 (Re-appointment)
Education Category ( 1 Appointment)
Dr. Raul Reyna, Executive Director, UTSA/SA PREP, in San Antonio, Texas for Place 18 (Re-appointment)
Economic Development Category (1 Appointment)
Mr. Mark Luft, Director, City of Cibolo Economic Development Corporation, in Bexar County, Texas for Place 20 (New Appointment)
ISSUE:
The WSA Partnership Agreement requires San Antonio City Council, Bexar County Commissioners Court, and the other 11 Area County Judges to review and approve the annual Interim WSA Operating Budget as well as appointments to the WSA Board. The WSA Board approved the proposed Interim Operating Budget for 2013-2014 on June 24, 2013, and the Committee of Six recommended approving the Interim Operating Budget on August 21, 2013.
ALTERNATIVES:
City Council could reject one or more of the recommended appointments to the WSA Board. The Committee of Six would then need to seek and interview new board candidates for recommendation and consideration by the Principals.
Failure to approve and recommend the appointment of WSA Board members to the Texas Workforce Commission within statutory time limits would cause the WSA to enter a period of "noncompliance" and preclude the WSA Board from meeting to take action or expend allocated funds from the TWC until the Board was back in compliance.
Furthermore, failure by all the Principals to approve the WSA Interim Operating Budget for 2013-2014, will not conform to the Partnership Agreement.
FISCAL IMPACT:
No direct fiscal impact to the City's Budget.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of the proposed WSA Interim Board Operating Budget and the appointments to the WSA Board as recommended by the Committee of Six.