Date: 01/20/2010
Final
Dept of Personnel and Administration Briefing
COMMITTEE ON JOINT BUSINESS AFFAIRS & LABOR
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03:13 PM -- Department of Personnel and Administration Briefing
Rich Gonzales, Executive Director of the Department of Personnel and Administration and Jennifer Okes, Deputy Executive Director, came to the table to brief the committee on the Department of Personnel and Administration. They provided a handout about the department (Attachment D). Mr. Gonzales described the department, the number of employees, and its funding. He described the department's divisions including: the Division of Human Resources, the Division of Central Services, the State Controller's Office, the Division of Finance and Procurement, the Administrative Courts, the Independent Ethics Commission, and the State Personnel Board. Mr. Gonzales also talked about the State Ombud Office and explained how the Ombuds Program works and the issues it addresses.
03:21 PM
Mr. Gonzales continued, describing the duties of the State Architect's Office. He talked about needed repairs to the Capitol dome.
Next he talked about the State Archives and the services it provides, explaining that the State Archives is cash funded. He talked about issues faced at the State Archives, including their location and lack of modernization. Representative Stephens suggested the possibility of housing the State Archives in the new judicial complex. Mr. Gonzales explained that legislative tapes are deteriorating and said the Archives is looking into digitizing the tapes.
03:25 PM
Next, Mr. Gonzales talked about the Division of Human Resources, describing the division's duties. He talked specifically about Workforce Planning and Development, explaining that it is cash funded and staffed by one person. He went on to speak about risk management and loss control. Representative Bradford asked how many part-time employees get the equivalent of full-time employee benefits and whether there is a policy that requires part-time employees to receive the benefits of full-time employees. Mr. Gonzales described the benefits received by part-time employees and independent contractors. Ms. Okes also responded to the inquiry, referring to the total compensation report. She said the same state dollar amount contribution to benefits is given to an employee whether full- or part-time. Conversation on this issue between Representative Bradford and Mr. Gonzales ensued. Senator Harvey asked Mr. Gonzales for further information about how many part-time employees receive full-time benefits. Mr. Gonzales agreed to provide the numbers to the committee.
03:36 PM
Committee discussion with Mr. Gonzales and Ms. Okes on issues related to full- versus part-time employment and benefits continued.
03:42 PM
Representative Middleton commented on the discussion around full- and part-time employees and asked about negotiations related to benefits. Mr. Gonzales clarified that health insurance is chosen through a request for proposal process, not a negotiation process. Representative Bradford asked for further clarification about the definition of part-time employee, to which Mr. Gonzales responded. Senator Harvey asked how many people are employed at 50 percent of full-time receive full-time benefits. Ms. Okes talked about the State Employee Handbook, and clarified that job announcements detail the hours of an employee. She also talked about the health insurance plans, explaining how the self-funded plan works, explaining that utilization drives the cost.
03:49 PM
Mr. Gonzales clarified how salaries are set, saying they are in compliance with audit recommendations.
Mr. Gonzales next described the constitutionally independent entities that are housed within the department, the first being the State Personnel Board. Next he discussed the Independent Ethics Commission, clarifying that it acts completely independently of the department.
03:51 PM
Mr. Gonzales spoke next about the Division of Central Services and its services and offices, including Integrated Document Solutions (IDS), State Travel Management Program (STMP), Capitol Complex, and State Fleet Management (SFM). Senator Williams asked for more information about SFM and how the process for obtaining vehicles works. Committee discussion with Mr. Gonzales and Ms. Okes on the use of fleet cars ensued.
04:04 PM
Mr. Gonzales talked next about the office of the State Controller and its duties, speaking specifically about its duties related to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). He continued with a discussion about the Division of Finance and Procurement, focusing on Central Collection Services. The next office discussed was the Office of Administrative Courts. Ms. Okes responded to a question from Senator Tochtrop about the duties of the Office of Administrative Courts.
04:09 PM
Mr. Gonzales talked about dedicated state workers who are doing more than ever with less resources. He said state employees make government work in the state of Colorado. Senator Tochtrop commented on state employees as well, talking about the concessions made by them. Senator Foster commented as well, and she returned to the issue of benefits for part-time employees.
04:16 PM
Mr. Gonzales talked about options related to the part-time/full-time issue and committee discussion ensued.
04:16 PM
The committee adjourned.