State of Texas
Department of Information Resources
Leadership for Texas Government Technology

Mid-Size Agency Coordinating Council (MACC)

Meeting Minutes for Thursday, April 10, 2008, 9:00 am
Clements Building, Room 103

I. Welcome and Introductions

Jennifer Hinjosa opened the meeting at 9:05 am. She welcomed members and guests.

II. State Auditor’s Office – Jo Dale Guzman, Professional Development Manager, 512-936-9460

Ms. Guzman provided information about staff development programs currently being conducted or in development at the SAO. For course descriptions, see the SAO handout at the end of this document. Agencies may contact Ms. Guzman to obtain additional information. Programs include:

1. Discovering Your Strengths: The purpose is to develop and better utilize employees who are not on a management track. There is a training session for anyone and a 2nd training session for management. The book costs $11.00.
2. New Work Habits: 13 Ground Rules for Job Success: The purpose is to train employees on professionalism, offered to new and existing employees. The book costs $8.00.
3. Emerging Leader Program: The purpose is to train new leaders using a blended approach to learn from current management and using Learning Labs.
4. Peer to Peer Learning:
5. Group Coaching Sessions:
6. Final Work Product:

III. Comptroller of Public Accounts – Suzy Whittenton, Director Fiscal Management, 463-1917

Update

1. Reorganization of Fiscal Management. An April 2008 organizational chart was distributed. They are still learning purchase audits from TBPC, some audits may be conducted to learn the process, but they will not be published.
2. Enterprise Resource Planning. A handout titled, "Enterprise Resource Planning in Texas State Government: What’s Happening?" was distributed. An update was provided on activities of the Advisory Council and Agency Work Groups. A new work group is being created for CFO’s and CIO’s with their first meeting on May 21, 2008. The website for information on ERP work groups and activities is Texas Enterprise Resource Planning.

IV. State Office of Risk Management – Jonathan D. Bow, Executive Director

Workers Comp/Risk Management Assessment Update

Trends since FY ’07:

• Higher medical costs despite smallest open case load in history
• More than 1,000 fewer injuries per year since 2003
• Reduced lost time from work, indemnity costs are lower.

Costs:

• Medical cost is the highest factor both in utilization and cost of treatment
• Hospital Stop Loss Bills: If the hospital bill hits a certain level, the courts said the carrier (SORM) must pay 75% of the bill and can’t question it.
• TDI has approved an increase in medical fees that can be charged for Workers Comp cases
• Costs are not where they were, but they are going up
• 3,100 employees are currently receiving benefits at any given time

Return to Work: (for injured employees)

• An injured employee, off work for 2 years, will likely not return to work to any employer, ever
• The best tool to use for employees who are out for over one week, is to stay in contact with them. Ask about them, tell them you miss them, tell them they are valued, offer part-time work at home and ask when they are planning to return to work.

Stuart B. Cargile, Director of Fund Accounting

• Costs have plummeted from 70 million in FY 2003 to 45 million in FY 2006, then just over $43 million in FY 2007 but have been increasing for the past year
• $44 million was set as the base for assessments in FY 2008, but carry forward from FY 2007 was $1.2 million less than projected.
• FY 2008 costs now projected at $45 million, resulting in a total shortage of $2.2 million
• The board adjusted assessment base upward to $45million and directed collection of carry forward shortfall.
• Deferred collection of 25% of $44 million ($11 million) will now be invoiced for a total of $13.2 million, an increase of less than 5% from initial FY 2008 assessments
• Estimate your budgets conservatively, suggesting to budget for a 10 % increase next year due to increasing medical costs for the system

V. Texas Public Employees Association – Andy Homer, Director of Government Relations, 476-2691

Update:

A handout "Proposed TPEA 2009 Legislative Agenda" is at the end of this document. TPEA is currently developing the agenda to include:

• An across the board raise with an increase in the retirement contribution
• 13th check for ERS retirees like TRS received last year. Retirees haven’t had a pay increase since 2002.
• Funding for agency merit pay awards

VI. Agency Announcements/ News

• The Department of Health has hired a new Wellness Coordinator.
  Brett Spencer, Statewide Wellness Coordinator
  Texas Department of State Health Services
  P.O. Box 149347, MC 1945
  Austin, TX  78714-9347
  (512) 458-7111 ext. 6161
• SECO semiannual status report due April 30th. Will accept a copy of the quarterly RP 49 sent to the governor’s office April 1st. Contact Eddy Trevino or see the link State Facilities Utility Management.
• DIR Education and Training

VII. Adjourn

The meeting adjourned at 10:30 am.

Future Meetings: Thursday, May 8, 2008
(Standing meeting 2nd Thursday of each month)