FROM TOM AUXTER, President, UFF
See the FL College System (FCS) summary of the final budget conference agreement regarding state college and community college issues (summarized below, plus attachments).
Colleagues:
Earlier this evening the Conference process reached its conclusion on the budget, proviso language, and some of the Conforming Bill items (primarily related to the Florida Polytechnic University Issue). As all of our existing Conforming Bill issues have already been agreed to, we are not expecting any changes, but you should leave open the possibility that some could occur that could impact our college system.
We expect the General Appropriations Act to be prepared and distributed sometime before midnight tomorrow, in order to allow the required 72 hour cooling off period before the Act can be voted on. We will be able to complete and distribute an updated college-by-college run at that time. Until then, I have attached the final Conference Budget Side-by-Side for the year, for your review. In addition, I offer the following summary reports prepared by College Budget Office staff:
FINAL CONFERENCE AGREEMENT 3-5-12
Attached is a side-by-side comparison with the current year budget, the initial House and Senate budget proposals, and the final conference agreement. The corresponding line numbers from the side-by-side are included for reference.
1. Total appropriations of $1.066 billion. [Line 50]
2. Increase of $28.3 million (2.8%) for the Community College Program Fund [Line 53], including:
a. Fund shift of $50,448,902 from General Revenue to Lottery (Educational Enhancement Trust Fund) Lines [Lines 4 & 8]
b. Full funding of $7.3 million for Operating Cost of New Facilities. [Lines 9 and 10]
c. Net increase of $761,007 for FRS adjustments (though legislative intent as that these changes and corresponding changes to the colleges’ employer contribution rates should net out to zero). [Lines 11 through 13]
- Increase of $7.2 million to cover FRS Normal Costs
- Reduction of $3.9 million to reduce Investment Plan allocation rates
- Reduction of $2.6 million to rebalance contribution rates for Optional Retirement Plans
- These are adjustments made to offset employer contribution rate changes for next year, enacted elsewhere in legislation.
d. 5% increase in tuition and fees (generates approximately $45.5 million if all colleges raise their current tuition by the 5%). [Line 52]
e. Additional $36 million allocated to specific colleges. [Lines 17 through 31] – No General Revenue reduction took place [Line 15] to support these projects. This was new funding to the System.
f. A contingent authorization for $430,074 to be transferred from the Putnam County School District to St. Johns River State College to support the transfer and operation of the county’s Adult Education program. [Line 27]
g. CCLA funding transferred to Florida Virtual Campus (FVC). Funding reduced 5% and portion transferred to University budget so FVC is funded equally in both budgets. [Lines 16 and 48]
h. Including tuition, there is an increase of 3.8% to the CCPF (provided every college increases tuition by 5%). [Line 54]
3. $3 million nonrecurring restored for 2+2 Partnerships. [Line 33]
4. Distance Learning Consortium transferred to FVC, including reduction of 5%. [Lines 36 and 48]
5. 15% reduction to Commission on Community Service. [Line 38]
6. No funds provided for Philip Benjamin Matching Grants. [Line 39]
