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 2017-2018 as recommended by the Committee of Six on September 11, 2017 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 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 $73 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, Mayor Nirenberg and Councilwoman Viagran serve on the Committee of Six with Councilwoman Gonzales as alternate.
Proposed WSA Annual Operating Budget for FY 2017-2018
The proposed Workforce Solutions Alamo Budget for FY 2017-2018 (attached) was considered and recommended for approval by the WSA Board of Directors on September 1, 2017, and the Committee of Six on September 11, 2017. This proposed Budget consists of a planning estimate of $73 million in federal and state funding sources, including approximately $53 million for child care services; $20 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 the following programs:
• Workforce Innovation & Opportunity Act (WIOA) Adult, which serves economically disadvantaged adults assisting them in obtaining the skills needed to obtain and retain employment including occupational training and support services.
• WIOA Youth, which serves in-school and out-of-school youth aged 16-24 enter into or complete educational or training opportunities so that they may gain the credentials and skills needed to obtain and retain employment.
• WIOA Dislocated, which serves individuals who have lost their jobs as a result of a layoff or closure. Program assists dislocated workers in returning to the workforce as quickly as possible which can include occupational training and support services.
• Temporary Assistance to Needy Families, which offers job preparation and educational services required for parents who depend on public assistance to transition into economic self-sufficiency through employment.
• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Employment & Training (SNAP E&T), which helps food stamp recipients gain skills, training, or work experience and increase their ability to obtain regular employment. and
The $4.3 million WSA corporate operating budget is included in the $73 million WSA Annual Operating Budget.
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 the annual WSA Operating Budget. The WSA Board of Directors recommended approval of the proposed Operating Budget for 2017-2018 on September 1, 2017, and the Committee of Six recommended approving the proposed Operating Budget on September 11, 2017.
ALTERNATIVES:
City Council could reject the Operating Budget for FY 2017-2018. 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 2017-2018.