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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Corpus Christi Regional Transportation Authority - 10/28/2009 - Workshop REGIONAL TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY, ° IECE BOARD OF DIRECTORS' BUDGET WORKSHOP MEETING M . UTES @1 : WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 28, 2009 DEC 0 7 2009 SUMMARY OF ACTIONS Ciryspy., ;Qv, S OFFICE 1. Heard Presentation on Administrative and Operations Support Department Budgets 2. Heard Presentation on Employee Compensation Plan and Benefits Structure The Regional Transportation Authority Board of Directors met at 9:30 a.m. in the Regional Transportation Authority Facility located at 5658 Bear Lane, Corpus Christi, Texas. Board Members Present: Crystal Lyons (Board Chair), Angie Flores Granado, John Longoria, Gloria Perez, Mary Saenz, Connie Scott, Board Members Absent: Vangie Chapa, David Martinez, Ricardo Ramon, Judy Telge, John Valls Staff Present: Eduardo Carrion (CEO), Jorge. Cruz-Aedo, Ponch Carrillo, Linda Fallwell-Stover, Sharon Montez, Twila Mouttet, Karina Paris, Ramon Sanchez, Gloria Smith, Lamont Taylor, Oscar Vargas, Susan Vinson, Ruth Willey, Aubrey Winston, Beth Vidaurri Public Present: None Call to Order Ms. Lyons called the meeting to order at 9:34 a.m. Presentation on Administrative and Operations Support Department Budgets Ms. Vinson informed the Board that revision pages for the 2010 budget book had been provided. The overall 2010 budget had been revised to increase the use of Preventive Maintenance funds since sales tax revenue for the previous month had been lower than projected. Reviewing the Customer Programs budget, Ms. Vinson pointed out that as part of the reorganization this department's key functions included customer service and paratransit eligibility assessment and no longer included the marketing and communication functions. She stated that compared to the 2009 budget, the 2010 budget line item for salaries was higher due to an increase in pay rates and SCIkNNED Y F nal Transportation Authority Board of Directors' Budget Workshop Meeting Minutes October 28,2009 Page 2 expected full staffing level; the services line item had increased due to the addition of contracted vehicle maintenance for the community bus; the materials and supplies line item increase was due in part to the rebranding efforts and delay of purchases; the decrease in the utilities line item was due primarily to elimination of the Rideline service; and the miscellaneous expense line item had increased due to hosting the Texas Transit Association (TTA) conference. In response to Ms. Lyons, Mr. Carrion stated that about $15,000 had been allocated for the TTA conference. Ms. Lyons stressed the need to stay within or below budget for this project. Providing an overview of the Service Development budget, Ms. Vinson said that in 2010 the salary line item had decreased due to a position being transferred to another department; and the services line item would have a slight increase due to software maintenance agreements. Responding to Ms. Saenz, Mr. Carrion said that the Regional Transportation Mobility Coordinator position was being reviewed because the regional coordination function was being funded by a grant and the purchase transportation function was being funded by the RTA. Due to concerns of the ability of the Coordinator to fully perform the duties associated with regional coordination, the position functions were going to be separated. Reviewing the MIS budget; Ms. Vinson highlighted the major changes in 2010 as follows: salaries would increase due to full staffing and upgrade of position and the services line item would also increase due to maintenance agreements and additional projects. Mr. Longoria initiated a discussion on the Agency's cell phone procedures. Mr. Carrion explained that all Agency cell phones were on a single company plan. Mr. Longoria proposed having a set cell phone budget for each employee; requiring them to pay anything over the budgeted amount; and allowing them to chose their carrier. Reviewing the Contracts and Grants budget, Ms. Vinson stated that the Contracts Compliance position was vacant and not funded in the 2010 budget; and the labor line item had increased based on full staffing in 2010. Reporting on the CEO budget, Ms. Vinson said that compared to the 2009 budget, the labor line item had increased due to the inclusion of three additional positions. She pointed out that Mr. Carrion, CEO, had not budgeted a salary increase for his position in FY 2010. Other line items that were higher compared to the 2009 budget were supplies and miscellaneous expenses primarily due to the addition of personnel. onal Transportation Authority Board of Directors' Budget Workshop Meeting Minutes October 28,2009 Page 3 Mr. Longoria initiated a discussion on the merit increase procedure. Ms. Willey explained that employees received between 2.5 to 3.5 percent increases based on their evaluation. Mr. Longoria recommended having all employee evaluations performed at the same time with merit increases awarded separately. Overviewing the Accounting and Finance budget, Ms. Vinson highlighted that compared to 2009 the labor line item had increased due to expected full staffing levels; materials and supplies line item increased due primarily to replacement costs; and services was lower due to elimination of consultant service. Reporting on the Human Resources department budget, Ms. Vinson said that compared to the 2009 budget, labor costs increased slightly due to anticipated full staffing levels; fringe benefits line item would be lower due to anticipated lower pension contribution; services line item would also be lower due to reduced use of temporary services and savings on employee exams; insurance line item was lower based on projected lower claims and proposed increased premium cost-sharing by employees. Reviewing the DBE and EEO department budget, Ms. Vinson stated that a slight increase was being budgeted in the 2010 budget for merit increases; the services line item was higher compared to the 2009 budget due to an enhanced DBE outreach program. Commenting on the Communications and Marketing budget, Ms. Vinson noted that this department was developed as part of the reorganization and budgetary changes. Compared to the 2009 budget, it included an increase in the labor line item due to anticipated full staffing; a decrease in the services line item basically due to some program costs being reallocated to different departments. In response to Ms. Perez, Mr. Carrion verified that the Communications and Marketing Manager position was developed as part of the reorganization and was the position discussed at the October 27, 2009 budget workshop for leaving vacant until the second half of 2010. As directed by the Board, he stated that at this time the revenue stream would be reviewed and a determination made whether to proceed with the enhanced marketing plan and filling the manager position. Ms. Lyons acknowledged that with the current budget constraints conducting a regional marketing outreach would not be prudent. A general discussion ensued regarding the delay in hiring the Communication and Marketing Manager position. Mr. Carrion explained the hiring steps for various vacant positions that have been filled. He pointed out that the Agency did have an advertising agency of record to handle large marketing campaigns. nal Transportation Authority Board of Directors' Budget Workshop Meeting Minutes October 28,2009 Page 4 Mr. Longoria and Ms. Lyons recommended that the Contracts Compliance Coordinator, Administrative Assistant-Operations, Industrial Custodian, and Manager of Communications positions remain unfilled; that the Purchased Transportation Coordinator position be filled; and that the Facilities Maintenance Technician position be filled in June 2010. Presentation on Employee Compensation Plan and Benefits Structure Ms. Willey reported the following direction for 2010 to its pay practices and benefits structure: 1) no pay grade adjustment to the Compensation Plan; 2) merit increases to remain at 2.5 to 3.5 percent; 3) increase employee health insurance premium contribution of at least $25 a month for family coverage and $10 a month for employee only coverage; and 4) review of the current incentive program would be undertaken to determine the effectiveness of each of the goals; equalize the pay levels; and reduce the budget from $171,000 to about $126,000. Mr. Carrion explained that the 2010 budget initiatives had been presented at the five Employee Budget Forums held in October 2009. There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 10:56 a.m. 1-2. Mary Saenz, Boar Secretary I � // ) Date Submitted by: Beth Vidaurri