Mr. Leckey said that payment of retirement benefits is the reason for the increase in requested general funds for FY2002 and the increase in other funds is for the $44,000 in computer services which were unanticipated.

Representative Burg asked if the Office had problems retaining staff as they did in FY2000. Mr. Leckey stated that the increase in wages stopped the retention problem.

Public Utilities Commission

Mr. Jim Burg, Chairman, Public Utilities Commission, and Ms. Sue Cichos, Deputy Executive Director, Public Utilities Commission, approached the committee.

Ms. Cichos explained the recommended budget increases for FY2002 and the different divisions of the Public Utilities Commission.

Representative Pummel asked who funded the One Call Notification system. Ms. Cichos stated that the requesting contractor does.

Senator Drake asked if the travel costs in FY2001 are actual cost. Ms. Cichos stated that the travel was for the Transportation/Warehouse division and is actual.

Senator Drake asked about the $40,000 increase in travel in FY2000. Ms. Cichos said that in that year the travel was posted for all divisions and in FY2001 and FY2002 travel for each division is separate.

Senator Greenfield asked why the contractual services have increased 100% since FY99. Ms. Cichos said it wasn't an actual increase, rather a comparison of actual expenditure to budgeted expenditure.

Senator Greenfield asked why the budget didn't show a decrease in actual cost if there wasn't an actual cost. Mr. Burg said that the Rate Case/Utility Investigations require lawyers and the Commission must retain a budget for variables.

Senator Drake asked why there was an increase in the budget for supplies. Ms. Cichos said that in FY2000 the One Call Notification division was added to the budget and in FY1999 it was not.

MOTION:    ADJOURN

Moved by:    Madden
Second by:    Greenfield
Action:    Prevailed by voice vote.

LeAnn Allstot