Date: 08/14/2012
Final
Division of Water Resources Budget
WATER RESOURCES REVIEW COMMITTEE
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02:40 PM -- Division of Water Resources Budget
Dick Wolfe, State Engineer, Director of the Division of Water Resources (DWR), provided an overview of the division's budget and how its changed since FY 2007-08. He explained that 98 percent of the division's budget is paid for by the General Fund and 2 percent of its budget is from well permits and other fees. Due to recent economic problems, the divisions budget has been reduced by approximately $1 million since FY 2007-08 which has resulted in a permanent loss of 5 full time employees and required that 28 positions remain vacant. The budget cuts have also required the division to reassign staff duties, reduce the use of overtime pay, and decrease the number of temporary staff hired to address seasonal workload increases. He also described the effect of reduced retirements on the division's budget, and identified technology improvements that have enabled the division to increase productivity, including: remote monitoring of diversions and stream gauges, improved water administration models, and better risk assessment for dam inspections. The division has also reduced training and attendance at meetings and conferences to save money.
03:00 PM
Mr. Wolfe responded to questions from the committee about the availability of federal moneys for dam inspections and other programs. He also identified long term trends affecting the DWR work load and budget needs including climate change, population growth, and changes of water rights.