DEPARTMENT: Economic Development
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Rene Dominguez
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: City-wide
SUBJECT:
Workforce Solutions Alamo (WSA) Board Budget
SUMMARY:
An Ordinance approving the Workforce Solutions Alamo Annual Operating Budget for FY 2016-2017 as will be recommended by the Committee of Six on June 14, 2016 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 $83 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 Warrick and Councilwoman Gonzales serve on the Committee of Six with Councilwoman Viagran as alternate.
Proposed WSA Annual Operating Budget for FY 2016-2017
The proposed Workforce Solutions Alamo Budget for FY 2016-2017 (attached) was considered and recommended for approval by the WSA Board of Directors on May 6, 2016, and will be considered for recommendation by the Committee of Six on June 14, 2016. This proposed Budget consists of a planning estimate of $83 million in federal and state funding sources, including approximately $46.2 million for child care services; $25.8 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 Innovation & Opportunity Act (WIOA) Adult, WIOA Youth, WIOA 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 $11.4 million for other contracts that are approved by the Workforce Solutions Alamo Board. The $5.7 million WSA corporate operating budget is included in the $83 million WSA Annual Operating Budget.
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. The WSA Board of Directors recommended approval of the proposed Operating Budget for 2016-2017 on May 16, 2016, and the Committee of Six will recommend approving the proposed Operating Budget on June 14, 2016.
ALTERNATIVES:
City Council could reject the Operating Budget for FY 2016-2017. Failure by all the Principals to approve the WSA Operating Budget 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 2016-2017.