COBI 2015 - Field Services

Overview
Issues
Financials

Sources Uses

FY 2016 Appropriation

This section covers the following major functions: Distribution, Adjudication and Well Drilling.

Distribution

In conjunction with the local water users, the division operates about 45 water distribution systems in the state. Water Commissioners are selected for each system, and are responsible to regulate the diversions and record the quantity of water used. These systems are created and organized, either through a court order or by the State Engineer. Distribution systems are funded through assessments to water users. Part of this funding is used to pay the division to handle the accounts payable, payroll, and other accounting functions for the systems.

Adjudication

An adjudication of water rights is an action in a district court to determine the water rights on the source or in the area involved in the action. The State Engineer has the statutory responsibility to prepare a proposed determination of water rights (PDET), which serves as the basis for the court's decree. As part of this effort, a thorough search is made of the division's records and the county recorder and clerk offices to identify water rights in the area. Hydrographic surveys and field investigations are completed to verify sources of water, points of diversion, and nature of water use, and any surrendered water rights. An evaluation is made of the water right based on the current use of water or the use of water within the recent past (seven years). This programs works with the Attorney General's Office, and the division pays the salary for 2 attorneys who deal with just adjudication matters.

Well Drilling

The division licenses about 150 well drillers and 150 registered operators each year and oversees their work activities.

Funding History

Funding Issues

Canal Safety Amendments, HB 370 (2014 GS)

This request is to provide funding for HB 370 (2014 GS) for the remaining three years. The fiscal note stated that it "could cost the Division of Water Rights $130,000 per year from the General Fund for FY 2015, FY 2016, and FY 2017 to complete the inventory list of water conveyance systems..." The division only got funding for FY 2015, and they are now requesting the funding for FY 2016.

Water Rights Adjudication

Funding for additional staff for the judicial system to speed up the adjudication process.

Appropriation Overview

During the 2015 General Session, the Legislature appropriated for Fiscal Year 2016, $2,108,200 from all sources for Field Services. This is a 39 percent increase from Fiscal Year 2015 revised estimated amounts from all sources. The total includes $905,800 from the General/Education Funds, an increase of 115.5 percent from revised Fiscal Year 2015 estimates.

Appropriation Adjustments

In addition to statewide compensation and internal service fund cost increases, the following appropriation adjustments were made during the 2015 General Session:

DescriptionOngoingOne-Time Canal Safety Amendments, HB 370 (2014 GS)$0$130,000

OngoingOne-TimeFinancing Source

$0$130,000General Fund, One-time

Water Rights Adjudication$438,000$0

OngoingOne-TimeFinancing Source

$438,000$0General Fund

Funding for additional staff for the judicial system to speed up the adjudication process.

Intent Language

HB0003: Item 108

Under the terms of 63J-1-603 of the Utah Code, the Legislature intends that appropriations provided for the Division of Water Rights in Item 16, Chapter 5, Laws of Utah 2014, shall not lapse at the close of FY 2015. Expenditures of these funds are limited to: Computer Equipment/Software $40,000; Adjudication $50,000, Special Projects/Studies $150,000; Employee Incentive/Training $30,000, Equipment/Supplies $50,000, Current Expense $30,000.

SB0002: Item 155

The Legislature intends that the Division of Water Rights work with the Office of the Legislative Fiscal Analyst to realign its appropriations unit structure to better match its operations.

Display By:

Funding Source

Expenditure Category

Appropriation Type:

Appropriation History by

Sources of Finance	FY11 Actual	FY12 Actual	FY13 Actual	FY14 Actual	FY15 Approp	FY15 Change	FY15 Revised	FY16 Change	FY16 Approp
General Fund	592,200	499,300	444,000	154,300	546,700	(129,400)	417,300	355,000	772,300
General Fund, One-time	0	0	0	1,500	3,000	0	3,000	130,500	133,500
Dedicated Credits Revenue	613,300	759,500	973,500	1,042,000	1,095,200	(8,600)	1,086,600	75,800	1,162,400
Beginning Nonlapsing	150,000	369,900	215,000	245,000	150,000	(100,000)	50,000	(10,000)	40,000
Closing Nonlapsing	(83,700)	(292,700)	(290,000)	(50,000)	(150,000)	110,000	(40,000)	40,000	0
Lapsing Balance	0	(78,000)	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Total	$1,271,800	$1,258,000	$1,342,500	$1,392,800	$1,644,900	($128,000)	$1,516,900	$591,300	$2,108,200

Categories of Expenditure	FY11 Actual	FY12 Actual	FY13 Actual	FY14 Actual	FY15 Approp	FY15 Change	FY15 Revised	FY16 Change	FY16 Approp
Personnel Services	1,191,200	1,143,200	1,213,000	1,278,100	1,523,700	(121,500)	1,402,200	451,000	1,853,200
In-state Travel	6,400	6,500	9,400	9,200	9,400	(200)	9,200	0	9,200
Out-of-state Travel	0	1,600	600	900	800	100	900	0	900
Current Expense	47,300	73,600	98,800	83,100	89,400	(6,300)	83,100	9,100	92,200
DP Current Expense	26,900	18,600	20,700	21,500	21,600	(100)	21,500	1,200	22,700
Capital Outlay	0	14,500	0	0	0	0	0	0	0
Total	$1,271,800	$1,258,000	$1,342,500	$1,392,800	$1,644,900	($128,000)	$1,516,900	$461,300	$1,978,200

Show Table | Show Additional Information

Other Indicators	FY11 Actual	FY12 Actual	FY13 Actual	FY14 Actual	FY15 Approp	FY15 Change	FY15 Revised	FY16 Approp
Budgeted FTE	15	14	16	16	16.50	0.50	17	17
Actual FTE	13.40	12.70	13.20	13.70	0	0	0	0
Vehicles	2	2	2	2	2	0	2	2

COBI contains unaudited data as presented to the Legislature by state agencies at the time of publication. For audited financial data see the State of Utah's Comprehensive Annual Financial Reports.