DEPARTMENT: Economic Development
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Rene Dominguez
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: City-wide
SUBJECT:
2-Year Update to Workforce Solutions Alamo (WSA) Local Plan for 2017-2020
SUMMARY:
An Ordinance approving the required 2-year update to the WSA Local Plan 2017-2020 as recommended by the Committee of Six on February 27, 2019 for submission to the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC).
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
TWC is the state agency that oversees and provides workforce development funding for services to employers and job seekers in Texas. TWC provides funding and services through 28 regional workforce boards, including the locally-created Workforce Solutions Alamo. WSA serves Atascosa, Bandera, Bexar, Comal, Frio, Gillespie, Guadalupe, Karnes, Kendall, Kerr, McMullen, Medina, and Wilson counties (the “WSA Service Area”).
The WSA Board is a group of 25 individuals appointed by the City, Bexar County and judges from the 12 other counties (the “Area Judges”) within the WSA Service Area (collectively, the “Principals”), who represent business, education, economic development, community organizations and government. Board members are appointed to three-year terms. The primary role of the WSA Board is to align, focus and set direction for workforce activities in the WSA Service Area and manage an annual workforce budget of approximately $96 million in federal and state workforce funding.
The Principals are parties to an Interlocal Agreement through the Chief Elected Officials (the “CEOs”) of the WSA Service Area, whereby they oversee the planning, budgeting, administration, and execution of WSA programs. The CEO’s have established a “Committee of Six” to carry out their duties and responsibilities. Currently, Councilman Perry and Councilman Palaez represent the City at the Committee of Six.
2-Year Update to Workforce Solutions Alamo Annual Local Plan for 2017-2020
In early 2017, City Council approved the four year WSA Local Plan 2017-2020. TWC requires a two year update to the plan to reflect changes in the labor market and local conditions. WSA’s Board of Directors, Chief Executive Officer, Directors and staff initiated a process to update and recommend modifications to the plan based on extensive research, comprehensive regional labor market analysis and an assessment of the delivery of services and partnership.
ISSUE:
The WSA Partnership Agreement requires San Antonio City Council, Bexar County Commissioners Court, and the other 12 WSA Area Judges to review and approve of modifications to the Local Plan. The WSA Board of Directors recommended approval of the WSA Local Plan on February 15, 2019 and the Committee of Six recommended approval WSA Local Plan on February 27, 2019.
ALTERNATIVES:
City Council could reject the modification to the Local Plan. Failure by all the Principals to approve the Local Plan or will not conform to the Partnership Agreement to which the City is a part and WSA would have to discuss and approve a new requested Plan to be approved by all three parties.
FISCAL IMPACT:
An Ordinance approving the required 2-year update to the WSA Local Plan 2017-2020 as recommended by the Committee of Six on February 27, 2019 for submission to the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC). There is no fiscal impact to the City’s Budget.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of the Local Plan update and modification to the WSA Annual Operating Budget for FY 2018-2019.