OFFICE OF PROGRAM POLICY ANALYSIS & GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY The Legislative Sunset Review Process Larry Novey Chief Legislative Analyst, OPPAGA The Florida Legislature Agency Consolidation of Conservation Land Management: Options and Considerations

OFFICE OF PROGRAM POLICY ANALYSIS & GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY 2 Scope  Review state agency conservation land management costs and unit costs  Provide alternatives and considerations

OFFICE OF PROGRAM POLICY ANALYSIS & GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY 3 There are Over 9 Million Acres of Conservation Lands in Florida

OFFICE OF PROGRAM POLICY ANALYSIS & GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY Three State Agencies are the Primary Managers  Three agencies conduct land management activities Department of Environmental Protection – manages state parks, greenways, and trails Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services – manages state forests Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission – manages wildlife management areas

OFFICE OF PROGRAM POLICY ANALYSIS & GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY 5 Agency Land Management Activities  Planning and review  Visitor services and recreational access  Invasive plant control  Prescribed fire and wildfire control  Habitat and species management  Hydrology restoration and control  Law enforcement

OFFICE OF PROGRAM POLICY ANALYSIS & GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY Land Management Uniform-Accounting Council Cost Categories Resource Management$33,516,626 Administration 38,372,012 Support 22,903,005 Capital Improvements 43,712,318 Recreation Visitor Services 33,783,095 Law Enforcement 15,743,770 Total Cost$188,030,826

OFFICE OF PROGRAM POLICY ANALYSIS & GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY 7 Agency Land Management Costs are Generally Stable and Average $187 Million Per Year

OFFICE OF PROGRAM POLICY ANALYSIS & GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY 8 Agency Management Cost per Acre Varies

OFFICE OF PROGRAM POLICY ANALYSIS & GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY Factors Influencing Cost per Acre  DEP receives higher funding due to greater public use of lands it manages More facilities and greater visitation in state parks results in higher capital outlay, maintenance, and law enforcement costs

OFFICE OF PROGRAM POLICY ANALYSIS & GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY 10 Potential Benefits of Consolidating Land Management Activities  Statewide management focus  Centralized policy making  Greater accountability and oversight  Increased efficiency of operations through economies of scale, consolidated management

OFFICE OF PROGRAM POLICY ANALYSIS & GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY 11 Potential Drawbacks of Consolidating Land Management Activities  Potential loss of focus on agency missions For example, public use versus environmental protection  Transition from decentralized to centralized management may be difficult

OFFICE OF PROGRAM POLICY ANALYSIS & GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY 12 Potential Cost Considerations for Consolidation  Potential cost decreases Consolidations in headquarters and other managerial staff Restructuring workload and activities  Potential cost increases Start-up costs (modification of leases and staff/equipment relocation, integrating technology and information systems, signage) Consolidating pay plans

OFFICE OF PROGRAM POLICY ANALYSIS & GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY 13 Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Cost Estimates  1,679 of 1,977 positions transferred to DACS  Potential reduction of 15 positions Cost decrease of $715,870  Reported it is reasonable to expect that other personnel, vehicles, equipment, and facilities could be eliminated

OFFICE OF PROGRAM POLICY ANALYSIS & GOVERNMENT ACCOUNTABILITY 14 Contacts  Larry Novey, Chief Legislative Analyst,  Kara Collins-Gomez, Staff Director,  Claire Mazur, OPPAGA Sunset Project Coordinator and Chief Legislative Analyst,