Finance Committee

Wednesday, 9:00 am, May 23, 2007

Commission Hearing Room
4200 Smith School Road
Austin, TX 78744

Approval of Previous Meeting Minutes

  1. Land and Water Plan Update
    Staff: Robert Cook
  2. Financial Overview
    Staff: Mary Fields
  3. Legislative Update
    Staff: Robert Cook
  4. Implementation of Recommendations by the State Auditor's Audit of State Parks Financial Processes
    Staff: Scott Boruff

Committee Agenda Item No. 1
Presenter: Robert L. Cook

Finance Committee
Land and Water Plan Update
May 23, 2007

I. Executive Summary: Executive Director Robert L. Cook 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 Robert L. Cook 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:


Committee Agenda Item No. 2
Presenter: Mary Fields

Finance Committee
Financial Overview
May 23, 2007

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

II. Discussion:

  1. Staff will update the Commission on revenue collected by TPWD for FY 2007, including state parks receipts, boat titling and registration revenue, and license sales revenue including the number of licenses sold.
  2. Staff will review the revenue collected by fund (Game Fish and Water Safety Fund, State Park Fund, Local Park Fund, and Other).
  3. Staff will compare the FY 2007 budget to FY 2007 expenditures through March 2007 and summarize budget adjustments.

Committee Agenda Item No. 3
Presenter: Robert L. Cook

Finance Committee
Legislative Update
May 23, 2007

I. Executive Summary: Staff will present a legislative update for the 80th Texas Legislative Session for the Fiscal Year 2008 - 2009 Biennium.

II. Discussion: Staff will update the Commission on significant legislation that may affect TPWD including appropriations. Staff will also address any items that may require implementation by TPWD.


Committee Agenda Item No. 4
Presenter: Scott Boruff

Finance Committee
Implementation of Recommendations by the State Auditor's Audit of State Parks Financial Processes
May 23, 2007

I. Executive Summary: In March 2007, the State Auditor's Office (SAO) issued a report titled Financial Processes at the Parks and Wildlife Department (the audit). TPWD takes the SAO's audit recommendations seriously and is committed to fully addressing the issues raised by the SAO as set out in TPWD's responses contained within the audit report. TPWD staff will brief the Commission on the audit recommendations and the status of TPWD's implementation of those recommendations.