General Expenses The total request for General Expenses is $9,960,000 which represents an increase of $3,411,000 over fiscal year 2000. Major elements of the Board's request include: Training The constantly changing environment and complexity of security and information technology requires the workforce to be thoroughly trained on the most recent developments in these areas. The efficiency and thoroughness of the workforce is dependent on the education it receives. Also, in order for members to maintain mandatory certification requirements, they must complete continuing education and certification courses. Based upon a managerial review, the USCP will also be taking major initiatives to streamline procedures and improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the operation. In order to accomplish these goals, the workforce must receive current training related to their duties. Cross-Servicing Agreements * National Finance Center: The Department currently administers its payroll through the Department of Agriculture. The FY 2001 request includes funds to continue our agreement with the NFC. * General Accounting Office: The Capitol Police Office of Financial Management has entered into a cross-servicing agreement with the General Accounting Office to migrate to the GAO accounting system. System testing is completed and a joint plan is being implemented to assure migration by the start of fiscal year 2001. The current antiquated system in use by the Capitol Police is inadequate and has been a concern of the Capitol Police Board and the committees. The GAO has estimated that the cost of this agreement would be $200,000. If approved, the Capitol Police would migrate to the GAO accounting system at the outset of fiscal year 2001. * Senate Sergeant at Arms: The Capitol Police currently receives support for computer and telecommunications functions from the Senate Sergeant at Arms. For the past several years there has been discussion among the Board and committees as to whether the management and accountability for these functions would be better served by having the Capitol Police budget for and administer these functions. The estimated cost of these functions for fiscal year 2001 is estimated at $1,157,000 and has been included in our request. Inter-agency Service Agreement: Funding is requested for the training facility costs at the Anacostia Naval Air Station. • Life-cycle Replacement Funds are requested in the fiscal year 2001 request to fully fund the replacement schedules for security systems, vehicles and equipment. It is the position of the Capitol Police Board that two essential elements for a law enforcement agency are well-trained personnel and a well-equipped force. Through reprogramming and other funding restrictions in the past several funds requested will allow for a normal life-cycle replacement of security systems, weapons, vehicles and other equipment. • Information Technology This Information Technology (IT) Budget correlates IT activities with the USCP Departmental Strategic Plan and mission, the Information Technology Strategic Plan, and the IT Modernization Implementation Plan. This is the second year of a two year modernization effort which provides for hardware and software solutions, an IT management framework, as well as coordination and support of Information Technology within and among the organizational elements of the Department. The Information Management Division with the USCP Investment Review Board is directing, coordinating and overseeing IT activities; leading the development and implementation of the IT strategic plan; prioritizing requirements and balancing IT resources; providing guidance and coordination for planning and budget formulation; and establishing and enforcing performance measures. These activities are accomplished through cross-servicing agreements, outsourcing contracts and use of in-house personnel. The modernization activity (in the second year of a two year effort) is being conducted using a systems architecture consistent with the needs of the administrative functions as determined by a user needs requirements analysis of critical USCP operations. This systems architecture supports an infrastructure that provides for the foundation of a structured, cost-effective approach to IT planning and development. Requested increases and explanation of changes are itemized and included in the schedules that follow. Annualization of CY 00 COLA and Comparability Pay Increase- $795,000. This amount is included at the COLA rate of 4.8% for three months for the COLA and comparability increases, effective on January 1, 2000. Projected CY01 COLA -$1,589,000. Estimated at the rate of 2.7% for the pay raise scheduled for January, 2001 and the related personnel benefits. Projected CY 01 Comparability Increase -$521.000. Estimated at the rate of 1.0% for nine months for the increase scheduled for January, 2001, and the related personnel benefits. Adjustment to Base for Positions supplemented in FY 00 by the Security Enhancement Fund $1,810,000. A base pay adjustment has been included to fully support the base salaries for the 1,251 FTE. Allowances and Longevity Increases - $564,000. Price Level Changes - $500,000 Overtime - $500,000. A 12.5% adjustment has been added to the ceilings which were established several years ago to maintain levels that have eroded due to COLAS, Comparability Pay Increases, and shift and holiday differentials. Program Type Changes - $2,446,000 Legislation Annualization of the Positions funded by the Security Enhancement Fund. This amount has been added to fund the 260 FTEs authorized in the Security Enhancement Fund. Workload Personnel Compensation & Benefits - $2,446,000. This amount is requested to fund 100 new police officers - an incremental staffing level increase recommended in two task force reports, the United States Capitol Security Review of October, 1998 and the 1998 Personnel Audit of Security Operations of the United States Capitol Police Force. 2 Authorized personnel levels reflected in FY 00 include 260 FTE requiring the transfer of $16,460,000 from the Fiscal 2000 $6,549,000 General Expenses Budget Fiscal 2001 $9,960,000 Increase The General Expenses Budget request for FY 2001 is $9,960,000. The following is an overview of the General Expenses budget by object class: Fiscal 2000 $650,000 Transportation of Persons Increase $133,000 This object class includes airfare, car rental, mileage, tolls, per diem, and other expenses incidental to official travel by employees of the Department. These travel expenses are related to protective details, transporting employees to and from the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) for recruit and other specialized training, as well as other developmental training that is not held at FLETC or in the DC area. It also includes costs associated with other travel related to official business such as investigations, ceremonial functions, competitions, etc. For fiscal year 2001 an increase is requested to cover costs associated with details assigned to officials during an election year. Additionally, funds are requested for travel associated with department-wide training initiatives. This object class includes freight costs incurred when parts, uniforms, or materials must be sent to another location (e.g., our liaison office at FLETC), when equipment is shipped to a repair facility, when items of evidence must be sent to another site for analysis or investigation, shipment of household goods for officers assigned to FLETC, etc. Funds contained in this object class cover any transportation costs except regular mail services and travel and per diem costs. Fiscal 2000 $138,000 Rent, Communications, and Utilities Fiscal 2001 Increase This object class provides funds for the lease and rental of equipment and services such as law enforcement computer files, automated research services, and photocopying machines. It also includes funds for US Postage, commercial long distance telephone service, and monthly mobile This object class includes all services not specifically covered by any other object class. It encompasses such things as repairs and alterations to equipment, maintenance contracts, tuition and registration fees for training programs, conferences, seminars, etc., uniform alterations, and professional services such as recruit physicals, forensic services, stenographic services, veterinary care, psychological evaluations, and employee assistance program. The request includes continued funding for the NFC contract for payroll services. Increases • Cross-Servicing Agreement - GAO An amount is requested to enter into a cross-servicing agreement with the General Accounting Service for use of the GAO accounting system. This arrangement is estimated to cost $200,000 for the agreement and related training. The amount of $1,157,000 is requested for reimbursement to the Office of the Senate Sergeant at Arms for computer and telecommunications services. This budget has traditionally been maintained by the Senate Sergeant at Arms. • Tuition for Officers and Civilians The increase of $136,000 reflects the Capitol Police Board's assessment that the agency must keep pace with technological advances, as well as changes mandated by the Congressional Accountability Act. The total request is the minimum required to raise the per employee cost to the range of other federal law enforcement agencies. |