Finance Committee

Wednesday, 9:00 am, August 20, 2008

Commissioner J. Robert Brown, Committee Chair
Gene McCarty, Committee Liaison

Approval of Previous Meeting Minutes

1. Land and Water Plan Update
   Staff: Carter Smith
2. Financial Overview
   • FY08 Financial Update
   • FY09 Operating and Capital Budget (Action Item No. 4)
   • Legislative Appropriations Request (LAR)
   • Budget and Investment Policy Resolutions (Action Item No. 4)
   Staff: Mary Fields
3. Internal Audit Report
   Staff: Carlos Contreras
4. Update on Sunset Commission Review of Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
   Staff: Gene McCarty
5. Capital Program Update and Bond Project Review
   Staff: Steve Whiston

Committee Agenda Item No. 1
Presenter: Carter Smith

Finance Committee
Land and Water Plan Update
August 20, 2008

I. Executive Summary: Executive Director Carter Smith will briefly update the Commission on the status of the agency's efforts to implement the Land and Water Resources Conservation and Recreation Plan (the Plan).

II. Discussion: In 2001, the 77th Texas Legislature directed that the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) develop a Land and Water Resources Conservation and Recreation Plan (Tex. Park & Wild. Code §11.104). In November 2002, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission (the Commission) adopted the first Plan. A revised Plan was adopted by the Commission in January 2005. The Plan is available on the TPWD web site. Executive Director Carter Smith will update the Finance Committee on TPWD's recent progress in achieving the Plan's Goals and Objectives as they relate to the Finance Committee.

The Plan consists of 8 Goals and a total of 56 Objectives. The Goals stated in the Plan are as follows:

• Goal 1: Improve access to the outdoors.
• Goal 2: Preserve, conserve, manage, operate, and promote agency sites for recreational opportunities, biodiversity, and the cultural heritage of Texas.
• Goal 3: Assist landowners in managing their lands for sustainable wildlife habitat consistent with their goals.
• Goal 4: Increase participation in hunting, fishing, boating and outdoor recreation.
• Goal 5: Enhance the quality of hunting, fishing, boating and outdoor recreation.
• Goal 6: Improve science, data collection and information dissemination to make informed management decisions.
• Goal 7: Maintain or improve water quality and quantity to support the needs of fish, wildlife and recreation.
• Goal 8: Continuously improve TPWD business management systems, business practices and work culture.

Committee Agenda Item No. 2
Presenters: Mary Fields

Finance Committee
Financial Overview
August 20, 2008

I. Executive Summary: Staff will present a financial overview of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD).

II. Discussion:

• Staff will update the Commission on revenue collected by TPWD for FY 2008, including State Parks receipts, boat titling and registration revenue and license sales revenue including the number of licenses sold
• Staff will review the revenue collected by fund (Game Fish and Water Safety Fund, State Park Fund, Local Park Fund and Other)
• Staff will compare the FY 2008 budget to FY 2008 expenditures and summarize recent budget adjustments
• Staff will propose the FY 2009 operating and capital budget
• Staff will review the FY 2010-2011 Legislative Appropriations Request
• Staff will discuss the agency's budget and investment policy resolutions

Committee Agenda Item No. 3
Presenter: Carlos Contreras

Finance Committee
Internal Audit Report
August 20, 2008

I. Executive Summary: Internal Audit will discuss the status of the following assignments:

• Completed assurance projects
• Current assurance projects
• Current advisory projects
• Investigations
• Professional Service / Office Management

II. Discussion: Staff will also discuss the Internal Audit Update Report recently sent to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission.

Committee Agenda Item No. 4
Presenters: Gene McCarty

Finance Committee
Sunset Commission Review of Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
August 20, 2008

I. Executive Summary: Legislation passed by the 80th Texas Legislature requires the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) to undergo review by the Sunset Commission in 2009. The first step in the sunset process is the submission of a self evaluation report (SER). TPWD submitted its SER on August 24, 2007. Staff will update the commission regarding that report and the sunset review process.

II. Discussion: Staff from each division have met with representatives from the Sunset Commission to review our programs and process since 2001. TPWD legislative staff have also accompanied Sunset Commission representatives on several field trips to show them first hand our field projects.

Committee Agenda Item No. 5
Presenters: Steve Whiston

Finance Committee
Capital Program Update and Bond Project Review
August 20, 2008

I. Executive Summary: The Committee will be provided briefings on the General Obligation Bond Program and the approval of the FY08-09 State Park Repair Program.

II. Discussion: The briefings will include an update on the status of the FY06-07 Capital Program and strategy for the design and construction of the FY08-09 Capital Program. Also included will be the submission and approval of the FY08-09 State Park Repair Program by the Texas Public Finance Authority and Bond Review Board.