MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2007 Regular Session

To: Appropriations

By: Representative Read, Martinson, Broomfield, Brown, Davis, Denny, Huddleston, Middleton, Miles, Weathersby

House Bill 1661

(As Passed the House)

AN ACT APPROVING THE EXPENDITURE OF SPECIAL FUNDS FOR THE PURPOSE OF DEFRAYING THE EXPENSES OF THE PEARL RIVER VALLEY WATER SUPPLY DISTRICT FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 2008.

     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 Pearl River Valley Water Supply District, for the purpose of defraying the expenses of the district for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2007, and ending June 30, 2008...

.... $    15,531,239.00.

     SECTION 2.  Of the funds appropriated 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$     5,078,169.00

Travel and Subsistence        60,000.00

Contractual Services     3,022,570.00

Commodities       849,500.00

     Capital Outlay:

Other Than Equipment     5,156,000.00

Equipment       345,000.00

Vehicles       150,000.00

Wireless Communication Devices             0.00

Subsidies, Loans and Grants       870,000.00

Total$    15,531,239.00

  AUTHORIZED POSITIONS:

Permanent:          Full Time     104

Part Time       8

Time-Limited:          Full Time       1

Part Time       0

     Funds are provided herein to adjust the Variable Compensation Plan to ensure that all full-time employees receive a pay increase equal to the realignment component of the Variable Compensation Plan or One Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($1,500.00), whichever is greater.

     With the funds herein appropriated, it is the intention of the Legislature that it shall be the agency's responsibility to make certain that funds required to be appropriated for "Personal Services" for Fiscal Year 2009 do not exceed Fiscal Year 2008 funds appropriated for that purpose, unless programs or positions are added to the agency's Fiscal Year 2009 budget by the Mississippi Legislature.  Based on data provided by the Legislative Budget Office, the State Personnel Board shall determine and publish the projected annual cost to fully fund all appropriated positions in compliance with the provisions of this act.  It shall be the responsibility of the agency head to insure that no single personnel action increases this projected annual cost and/or the Fiscal Year 2008 appropriation for "Personal Services" when annualized, with the exception of escalated funds.  If, at the time the agency takes any action to change "Personal Services," the State Personnel Board determines that the agency has taken an action which would cause the agency to exceed this projected annual cost or the Fiscal Year 2008 "Personal Services" appropriated level, when annualized, then only those actions which reduce the projected annual cost and/or the appropriation requirement will be processed by the State Personnel Board until such time as the requirements of this provision are met.

     Any transfers or escalations shall be made in accordance with the terms, conditions and procedures established by law or allowable under the terms set forth within this act.  The State Personnel Board shall not escalate positions without written approval from the Department of Finance and Administration.  The Department of Finance and Administration shall not provide written approval to escalate any funds for salaries and/or positions without proof of availability of new or additional funds above the appropriated level.

     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.

     With the funds herein appropriated, funds are included and authorized in the Salaries, Wages and Fringe Benefits major object of expenditure to pay "call back pay" in lieu of "compensatory time credit," at the discretion of the Director of the Pearl River Valley Water Supply District, to any employee who must work on a statutory holiday or any holiday proclaimed by the Governor.

     SECTION 3.  It is the intention of the Legislature that the Pearl River Valley Water Supply District shall maintain complete accounting and personnel records related to the expenditure of all funds appropriated under this act and that such records shall be in the same format and level of detail as maintained for Fiscal Year 2007.  It is further the intention of the Legislature that the agency's budget request for Fiscal Year 2009 shall be submitted to the Joint Legislative Budget Committee in a format and level of detail comparable to the format and level of detail provided during the Fiscal Year 2008 budget request process.

     SECTION 4.  It is the intention of the Legislature that whenever two (2) or more bids are received by this agency for the purchase of commodities or equipment, and whenever all things stated in such received bids are equal with respect to price, quality and service, the Mississippi Industries for the Blind shall be given preference.  A similar preference shall be given to the Mississippi Industries for the Blind whenever purchases are made without competitive bids.

     SECTION 5.  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 6.  The Pearl River Valley Water Supply District is authorized to expend any federal or state funds to repair damage caused by Hurricane Katrina on the shoreline located between the Bob Anthony Parkway and the causeway on either public or private property.

     SECTION 7.  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 or in accordance with the provisions of a valid trust indenture.

     SECTION 8.  This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2007.