DEPARTMENT: Economic Development
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Rene Dominguez
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: City-wide
SUBJECT:
Workforce Solutions Alamo (WSA) Board Budget and appointments to the WSA Board of Directors.
SUMMARY:
An Ordinance approving the Workforce Solutions Alamo Annual Operating Budget for FY 2015-2016 and appointments to the WSA Board of Directors as recommended by the Committee of Six on May 27, 2015 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, 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 11 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 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, Councilwoman Viagran and Councilwoman Gonzales serve on the Committee of Six.
Proposed WSA Annual Operating Budget for FY 2015-2016
The proposed Workforce Solutions Alamo Budget for FY 2015-2016 (attached) was considered and recommended for approval by the WSA Executive Committee on May 21, 2015, and the Committee of Six on May 27, 2015. This proposed Budget consists of a planning estimate of $80 million in federal and state funding sources, including approximately $45.9 million for child care services; $24.1 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, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Employment & Training (SNAP E&T), and SNAP E&T Able-Bodied-Adults without Dependents and $10.0 million for other contracts that are approved by the Workforce Solutions Alamo Board. The $4.7 million WSA corporate operating budget is included in the $80 million WSA Annual Operating Budget.
Appointments to WSA Board of Directors
On May 27, 2015, the Committee of Six conducted interviews and recommended the following individuals to serve on the WSA Board of Directors: Sherrika Arch, Place 3 Business, and Johnette Lee, Place 25 Vocational Rehabilitation, each for a term beginning June 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 appointments to the WSA Board. The WSA Executive Committee recommended approval of the proposed Operating Budget for 2015-2016 on May 21, 2015, and the Committee of Six recommended approving the proposed Operating Budget on May 27, 2015.
ALTERNATIVES:
City Council could reject the recommended appointments 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 2015-2016, 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 2015-2016 and appointments to the WSA Board of Directors as recommended by the Committee of Six.