FISCAL NOTE

Date Requested: March 01, 2016
Time Requested: 03:43 PM
Agency: Highways, Division of
CBD Number: Version: Bill Number: Resolution Number:
2937 Introduced HB4733
CBD Subject:


FUND(S):



Sources of Revenue:

Other Fund State Road Fund

Legislation creates:

Neither Program nor Fund



Fiscal Note Summary


Effect this measure will have on costs and revenues of state government.


West Virginia Division of Highways (DOH) believe we can address the concerns in this bill with current staff in each of the ten DOH districts, utilizing increased training. As an example, if current staff is utilized, and with an incentive for additional duties, there would be a cost attributed to our State Road fund (see below). However, if it was determined current staff could not meet the requirements of the bill, and we were further required to hire additional personnel, of course, the cost would be much higher (10 staff members at $x dollars, including additives).



Fiscal Note Detail


Effect of Proposal Fiscal Year
2016
Increase/Decrease
(use"-")
2017
Increase/Decrease
(use"-")
Fiscal Year
(Upon Full
Implementation)
1. Estmated Total Cost 0 112,200 112,200
Personal Services 0 0 0
Current Expenses 0 0 0
Repairs and Alterations 0 0 0
Assets 0 0 0
Other 0 0 0
2. Estimated Total Revenues 0 0 0


Explanation of above estimates (including long-range effect):


If existing staff (1 staff per district)can be utilized with increased training, with an incentive of 15% added to staff making an average of $40,000 ($6,000), plus 1.87% for additives such as insurance, retirement, etc., it would be a cost of $112,200 to the agency. If additional staff, or new staff is required, the cost would be much higher with salaries for new hires ranging between ($25,000 and $35,000 plus additives) With either scenario, the cost would come from the DOH's existing budget, i.e., State Road Fund.



Memorandum


The DOH believes it has a framework in place to utilize existing/current staff, with additional training to meet the goals of this bill. If that is the case, the DOH would incur the cost of incentive for additional duties and insurance (as stated above). Administrative Assistants, Maintenance Secretaries, or similar assistants, currently serve as "communication coordinators," providing information in the form of press releases (which are put on the social media outlets) regarding maintenance activities, road closures, construction activities and other information. With additional training by the Office of Communications, it could also include information of known or anticipated disruptions in traffic patterns, like resurfacing schedules, and other information important to area residents. That information would then be put up on the Office of Communications' social media outlets (Facebook, Twitter, WV511.org, etc.).



    Person submitting Fiscal Note: Lorrie Hodges
    Email Address: lorrie.a.hodges@wv.gov