Budget Advisory Committee

Agenda 09/25/2001

Tuesday, September 25, 2001

Minutes 09/25/2001

BUDGET ADVISORY COMMITTEE

Tuesday, September 25, 2001

Senate Chambers, 2:30 p.m.

The meeting was called to order by Ron Root and Barbara Croteau (Co-Chairs).

Members present: Bob Flores, Ezbon Jen, Joe Morello, Maryanne Michaels, Jamey Ransford, Ron Root, Micca Gray, Ed Sikes, Barbara Croteau, Richard Abrahams, Deborah Sweitzer, Sandi Tassano, Andrew Dolcini, Omar Medina.

Members absent: Xuan Ho, Bonnie Pearson.

Staff to the Committee: Eileen Cichocki, Lamont Royer.

At the start of the meeting, Ron added an additional item to the agenda, #8 Institutional Goals.

1. Introduction of Members: Each member introduced themselves to the other committee members.
2. Budget Advisory Committee Functions: Ron reviewed the function of the BAC and discussed how the emphasis of the committee is on strategic planning including forwarding recommendations to IPC and the Board of Trustees. He explained that the BAC will generally engage in high level discussions keeping a broad perspective, rather then getting into the detail of department budgets. The Fiscal Stability Report was discussed briefly and is available at www.santarosa.edu/media/presentations/busserv/fiscal-stability2001_files/frame.htm.
3. Approval of April 24, 2001 Minutes: The minutes of the 4/24/01 meeting were approved without comment or revision.
4. Review of Fiscal Year 2001-02 District Budget: Ron re-capped the Adopted Budget as it was presented at the September Board meeting. He highlighted slides regarding National and State trends, Categorical funding trends, equitable funding as compared with the National average, Proposition 98, and the other higher education systems in California. He reviewed the items that were vetoed by the Governor as well as other major revenue and expenditure assumptions. There was a brief discussion regarding last year’s funding priorities that the BAC sent to the State. It was pointed out that last year we indicated COLA was our number one priority, followed by an increase to non-credit funding, then by COLA on PFE. Deborah Sweitzer expressed the opinion that SRJC should advocate for full Prop 98 funding and non-credit funding equity by sending a group comprised of faculty, staff, and students to Sacramento to meet with legislators to communicate our priorities.
5. General Obligation Bond Information: Ron handed out a copy of the presentation Dr. Agrella had presented to the Academic Senate on September 19^th. Most members of BAC indicated they had attended the presentation, so Ron briefly reviewed the highlights. The primary advantages of going under the Prop 39 guidelines are that it requires a 55% vote and allows for the purchase of equipment. The Pubic Opinion Survey indicated a very favorable rating from the community, 74% in favor. The survey also indicated that the best advocates, those found most "believable" by the community, are local firefighters and paramedics and SRJC faculty.
6. Statewide School Construction Bond Proposal: There was an attachment to the agenda regarding a possible Statewide School Construction Bond. It does not appear likely that the State will take it to the voters in March.
7. Proposed Schedule of Meetings: The schedule of BAC meetings for Fall 2001 and Spring 2002 was reviewed. It was agreed that members would also reserve the second Friday’s of October and November for BAC meetings if they are needed.

 

8. Institutional Goals: BAC reviewed the Institutional Goals as they relate to budget and the BAC functions. Deborah Sweitzer recommended a new Institutional Goal, as stated below:

Meeting adjourned: 4:30 p.m.