MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1997 Regular Session

To: Appropriations

By: Representatives Foster, Barnett (92nd), Bowles, Davis (7th), Denny, Livingston, Maples, McCoy, McInnis, Short

AN ACT APPROVING THE EXPENDITURE OF SPECIAL FUNDS FOR THE PURPOSE OF DEFRAYING THE EXPENSES OF THE PAT HARRISON WATERWAY DISTRICT FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 1998.  

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:

SECTION 1. The following sum, or so much thereof as may be necessary, is hereby authorized and approved for expenditure out of any funds which are received by or otherwise become available to the Pat Harrison Waterway District, for the purpose of defraying the expenses of the district for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 1997, and ending June 30, 1998 $ 3,934,780.00.

SECTION 2. Of the funds approved for expenditure under the provisions of Section 1, not more than the amounts set forth below shall be expended for the respective major objects or purposes of expenditure:

MAJOR OBJECTS OF EXPENDITURE:

Personal Services:

Salaries, Wages and Fringe Benefits $ 1,686,794.00

Travel and Subsistence 19,000.00

Contractual Services 849,836.00

Commodities 242,550.00

Capital Outlay:

Other Than Equipment 51,000.00

Equipment 49,100.00

Subsidies, Loans and Grants 1,036,500.00

Total $ 3,934,780.00

AUTHORIZED POSITIONS:

Permanent: Full Time. . . . . . . . . 40

Part Time. . . . . . . . . 67

Time-Limited: Full Time. . . . . . . . . 0

Part Time. . . . . . . . . 0

From the funds provided in the budget category "Personal Services: Salaries, Wages and Fringe Benefits," funds may be expended for the following purposes, in compliance with policies established by the State Personnel Board and any conditions placed on such expenditure:

(a) The components of the Variable Compensation Plan shall be maintained within the constraints of the funds appropriated herein.

(b) Funds shall be used to fund the "Realignment" component at the requirement established by the State Personnel Board.

(c) Subsequent to the application of Realignment, as specified in Subparagraph (b), above, funds shall be used to provide all eligible state employees employed on or before June 30, 1996, a Three Hundred Dollar ($300.00) "In-Service" COLA base salary increase effective July 1, 1997.

(d) All eligible state employees employed on or before June 30, 1996, shall receive a one percent (1%) salary increase on the first day of the month following their anniversary hire date.

(e) To be eligible for the salary increases specified in Subparagraphs (c) and (d), above, employees must have a current overall performance appraisal rating of "meets expectations" (2.0), or above, on the effective date of the increase. Employees who, subsequent to their eligibility date, receive a performance appraisal rating of "meets expectations" (2.0), or above, during Fiscal Year 1998 shall receive the salary increase effective the date of the rating. If an eligible employee is currently at or above end step for his or her job classification, or should this salary increase cause an eligible employee's salary to exceed end step, that portion of the increase exceeding end step shall be built into the employee's base salary.

It is the agency's responsibility to make certain that funds required to be appropriated for Personal Services for Fiscal Year 1999 do not exceed Fiscal Year 1998 funds appropriated for that purpose unless programs and/or positions are added to the agency's budget by the Mississippi Legislature.

Any transfers or escalations shall be made in accordance with the terms, conditions and procedures established by law.

No general funds authorized to be expended herein shall be used to replace federal funds and/or other special funds which are being used for salaries authorized under the provisions of this act and which are withdrawn and no longer available.

Unless expressly authorized herein by the Legislature, no funds appropriated to be expended for travel and subsistence shall be expended to pay expenses incurred by more than three (3) employees or other representatives of the agency, excluding elected officials, for attending the same conference, seminar or workshop, either in-state or out-of-state; however, such funds may be expended for expenses incurred by more than three (3) employees or other representatives for attendance at the same conference, seminar or workshop (a) if attendance is required in order to maintain professional certification or licensure, which certification or licensure is required by the employees' job descriptions or by law, or (b) if such expenditure has received the prior written approval of the State Fiscal Officer.

SECTION 3. It is the intention of the Legislature that none of the funds authorized in Section 1 and approved for expenditure in Section 2 may be used to fund the "Rural Economic Development Program."

SECTION 4. The funds herein approved for expenditure, except and less an amount approved by the State Fiscal Officer which shall be sufficient to cover disbursements for current operations, shall be deposited at interest with any official depository of the state at a rate of interest numerically not less than one percent (1%) below the bank discount rate on United States Treasury bills of comparable maturity as determined by the State Treasurer.

SECTION 5. The money herein approved for expenditure shall be disbursed upon bank checks signed by the proper person, officer or officers, in the manner provided by law.

SECTION 6. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 1997.