DEPARTMENT: Economic Development
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Rene Dominguez
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: City Wide
SUBJECT:
Workforce Solutions Alamo (WSA) Board Budget and Reappointments to the WSA Board of Directors
SUMMARY:
An Ordinance approving the Workforce Solutions Alamo (WSA) Annual Operating Budget for FY 2014-2015 and reappointments to the WSA Board of Directors as recommended by the Committee of Six on August 13, 2014 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"). WSA serves Atascosa, Bandera, Bexar, Comal, Frio, Gillespie, Guadalupe, Karnes, Kendall, Kerr, Medina, and Wilson counties (the "WSA Service Area").
The WSA Board is a group of 25 individuals appointed by the City, Bexar County and the County Judges from the 11 other counties (the "Area Judges") within the WSA Service Area (collectively, the "Principals"). The WSA Board represents 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 workforce activities in the WSA Service Area and manage an annual workforce budget of approximately $81 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, which include recommending to the Principals the appointment of members to the WSA Board. Currently, Councilman Lopez and Councilwoman Viagran (alternate) serve on the Committee of Six.
Proposed WSA Annual Operating Budget for FY 2014-2015
The proposed Workforce Solutions Alamo Budget for FY 2014-2015 (attached) was considered and recommended for approval by the WSA Board on June 30, 2014, and the Committee of Six on August 13, 2014. This proposed Budget consists of a planning estimate of $81 million in federal and state funding sources, including approximately $46.7 million for child care services; $23.9 million for staff and to operate 16 contracted workforce service centers in the 12-county area. These planning estimates restrict use of the funds for the following sources. The contracted workforce service centers serve participants in Workforce Investment Act (WIA) Adult, WIA Youth, WIA Dislocated, Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF), Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Employment & Training (SNAP E&T), and SNAP E&T Able-Bodied-Adults without Dependents (ABAWD), including approximately $400,000 for Just-in-Time training to support the manufacturing, IT, and aerospace industries, and $10.4 million for other contracts that are approved by the Workforce Solutions Alamo Board. The $4 million WSA corporate operating budget is included in the $81 million WSA Annual Operating Budget.
Reappointments to WSA Board of Directors
On August 13, 2014, the Committee of Six conducted interviews and recommended the following individuals to serve on the WSA Board of Directors: T. J. Haygood, Place 3, Business; Alex Nava, Place 4 Business; John Blaylock, Place 8, Business; Dr. Guillermo Mancha, Place 17, Education; Melissa Sadler-Nitu, Place 19, Education (Adult Basic); and Rachel Cavazos, Place 23, Public Assistance, each for a term beginning January 1, 2015 and ending December 31, 2017. The applicants listed above are submitted for consideration by the City Council and the other Principals. Attached is the resume and application of each applicant.
ISSUE:
The WSA Partnership Agreement requires San Antonio City Council, Bexar County Commissioners Court, and the other 11 WSA Area Judges to review and approve the annual WSA Operating Budget as well as reappointments to the WSA Board. The WSA Board approved the proposed Operating Budget for 2014-2015 on June 30, 2014, and the Committee of Six recommended approving the Operating Budget on August 13, 2014.
ALTERNATIVES:
City Council could reject the recommended reappointments to the WSA Board. The Committee of Six would then seek and interview new board candidates for recommendation and consideration by all of the Principals. Failure to approve and recommend the appointment of WSA Board members to the TWC within statutory time limits will result in a period of "noncompliance" for WSA, precluding the WSA Board from meeting to take action or expend allocated funds from the TWC until the Board is back in compliance. Furthermore, failure by all the Principals to approve the WSA Operating Budget for 2014-2015, will not conform to the Partnership Agreement to which the City is a party.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact to the City's Budget.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of the WSA Annual Operating Budget for FY 2014-2015 and reappointments to the WSA Board of Directors as recommended by the Committee of Six.