Committee: House Appropriations
DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES
Mr. Bill Pike, provided budget information for the committee.
Division of Developmental Disabilities
Ms. Kim Malsam-Rysdon, Division Director, reviewed the mission statement and priority goals. She
emphasized that citizens with disabilities will have the opportunity to live in the community of their
choice and enjoy the same lifestyle as those people without disabilities.
Services available for the disabled and their families include family support projects, respite care
programs, and community adjustment training centers. Ms. Malsam-Rysdon told the committee the
method of funding is based on service based rates according to ICAP criteria.
Mr. Fred Romkema, Northern Hills Training Center, Spearfish, introduced Max, Evina and LeAnn
Williamson. Mr. Williamson told the committee that he has two handicapped daughters that are both
residents of adjustment training centers. He related how wonderful it is to have such facilities since
they were no longer able to keep their daughters at home full time. He did comment that there was
a large turnover of staff at the facilities.
Ms. Linda Raga, Northern Hills Training Center, presented written testimony to the committee
stessing their primary concern: the ability to recruit and retain qualified personnel (Document #1)
SDDC - Redfield - Secretary John Jones, briefed the committee on the mission statement and
services provided by the Development Center at Redfield.
Secretary Jones advised the committee that reduction in salaries and benefits was attributed to a
reduction in workmen compensation rates as well as a reduction in staff. He said that as some staff
retire, replacement staff could be hired at a lesser salary.
West Farm and Watertown Home & School - Ms. Jan Nicolay, Acting Director, explained that the
$88,063 increase in their budget was attributed in part to the transfer of 16 FTE from the Department
of Corrections.
Ms. Nicolay advised the committee on the status of students at both facilities and related how
supportive each community and school district has been.
The committee recessed at 9:35 a.m. and reconvened at 10:00 a.m.
Vice Chair Putnam presiding.
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Mr. David Becker, LRC, provided budget information for the committee (Document #1)
Mr. Ron Wheeler, Secretary Department of Transportation, reviewed the major items requested in
the budget request (Document #2) . These include an increase of 16.6 FTE; an increase in supplies
and materials of $978,228 - an adjustment from moving management of heavy equipment back to
DOT and contractual services increases.
Mr. Mike Durick, Director, Operations Division, presented the committee with maps showing the
5 year construction plan as well as the proposed expressways (Document #4 & #5).
Mr. Durick and Mr. Leon Schochenmaier, responded to questions regarding various construction
projects. In response to an inquiry about the Department using the prison built homes, Mr. Wheeler
responded saying they had used them in rest areas that were experiencing a high degree of
vandalism. He said after they had made the house a Highway Patrol Office the vandilisim had
decreased.
DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Mr. Craig Johnson, Secretary, reported that the Department's primary source of funds are federal
grants and contracts (Document #7).
To accommodate the second year of grants for the School-to-Work Program the Department is
seeking federal fund authority in the amount of $1,600,000 (Document #8).
.
MOTION:
ADJOURN
Moved by:
Representative Klaudt
Second by:
Representative Wudel
Action:
Prevailed by voice vote.
Jeanette Black