Legislators press FPR and administration on vacancy savings, reversions and ADS spending

While reviewing the Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation's budget on Feb. 13, members of the House Appropriations Committee broadened the hearing into a discussion of fiscal practices: vacancy savings, carry‑forwards/reversions and recently reported shortfalls in the Administration and Digital Services (ADS) unit.

A committee member highlighted a proposed $154,000 vacancy target for the Division of Forests as a projected 3.2% vacancy rate and asked whether that meant positions were empty now or planned as savings. Steve Gomez said the vacancy amount is a projection based on historical averages and not a prescriptive elimination of posts.

Multiple legislators criticized vacancy savings as a routine balancing tool and questioned whether it leaves units under capacity. "It seems like it's the go‑to tool to balance the books in state government," one member said, arguing that arbitrary vacancy assumptions can be "crippling" when small units lose critical capacity.

The committee instructed staff to invite Finance and Management to explain the philosophy and process behind vacancy savings. Members also raised concerns about reversion reports showing multiple years of carry‑forwards and about the ADS unit's recent testimony that it moved from a $1,000,000 surplus to a $20,000,000 shortfall; several legislators said they want clearer accounting before approving additional ADS funding.

Separately, the committee discussed the State Parks Special Fund, which earlier reporting showed a temporary deficit; department officials said they expect approximately $5,200,000 in ski‑lease receipts to be deposited over the coming months and projected a roughly $1,000,000 fund balance by year‑end.

Committee members asked for follow‑up briefings and spreadsheets from department finance to understand vacancy assumptions, carry‑forwards, reversions and ADS billing forecasts before acting on broader budget requests.