[ODF_Private_Forests] Update on Hiring and Spending Freeze at ODF

[WEEKS Kevin]

State Forester Doug Decker provided this update to Oregon Department of Forestry staff on Friday.

Kevin Weeks
Oregon Department of Forestry

From: DECKER Doug S
Sent: Friday, December 16, 2011 2:10 PM

Global economic challenges are prominent in the news this week, and so are Oregon headlines about cost-saving direction from the Governor for state agencies in the form of a hiring freeze and administrative restrictions on spending. I thought it would be helpful to provide some further detail about the Governor's announcements, tell you about the conservative approach we've been taking on spending and hiring decisions for the last year or more, and share some thoughts on how we'll proceed over the next couple months.

First, here's the news in case you missed it: In consultation with legislative budget leaders, the Governor has announced a hiring freeze from now until at least through the February 2012 legislative session - with an exception process for critical positions. Wednesday, he announced a set of spending restrictions (which is actually consistent with our own ODF administrative guidelines currently in place...more on that in a minute).

Taken together, these measures are intended to produce savings that will provide the Governor and the Legislature with the greatest possible flexibility in balancing this biennium's budget in case of a deeper statewide shortfall than expected. The budget will be a priority during the Legislature's session in February.

Hiring Freeze process and criteria being clarified. The Department of Administrative Services has provided information about the hiring freeze exception criteria. We're working to determine how to apply those to ODF and will be sharing that information with managers in an e-mail message later today. We have a number of vacant positions - at leadership levels, such as district foresters, and in the field - with bearing on our ability to provide direct services and accomplish our mission, and we'll review those carefully. I also recognize that seasonal firefighter recruitment is on the horizon, which is obviously central to our agency mission.

Careful review of hiring and spending as standard operating procedure. Since well before this week's statewide announcements, we have been reviewing each vacancy, delaying hiring wherever possible. Similarly, through a detailed set of administrative guidelines, we've asked managers to analyze discretionary spending in every area - travel, equipment purchases, employee compensation and more. The intent is to use every opportunity to realize savings without compromising safety or our core mission. We've also taken a conservative approach to our rebuilding of the Private Forests program as funded in our current budget, rebuilding in phases and leaving options open for slowing or halting progress if necessary due to budget constraints.

Staying connected. Along with other members of the ODF Executive Team, I've been in direct contact with legislative budget leaders, apprising them of our cost-savings approaches and inviting their feedback. We're also in frequent and ongoing conversation with the Governor's Office, the Department of Administrative Services and the Legislative Fiscal Office. These contacts are essential in maintaining a "no surprises" approach and keeping our strategies in line with those of state government as a whole.

The economic difficulties of the last few years have brought a measure of uncertainty to all of us, in our personal and our work lives. Unfortunately, I don't see that changing.

For us in state government, the next General Fund revenue forecast, scheduled for early February, and the coming legislative session will shape our budget strategies in the near future. As you may recall, all agencies have submitted options for General Fund reductions of 10.5 percent, in 3.5 percent increments, for the Legislature's consideration in February.
Link - http://www.oregon.gov/ODF/AGENCY_AFFAIRS/docs/November2011GeneralFundReductionExercise.pdf

In closing. Our Executive Team will continue to follow developments closely, and I'll keep you updated. In the meantime, I can tell you that the cost-saving measures we've already put in place, the strong support of our stakeholders, and our regular communication with policy leaders are great assets as we navigate through these challenging times.

Just as valuable is our can-do reputation - as strong as ever - and the goodwill we have developed. All this results directly from the good work you do every day - work that I hear about regularly as I travel the state. I thank you for that, and for your continued commitment to serving Oregonians and Oregon's forests.

Best wishes,

Doug Decker, Oregon State Forester

Director, Oregon Department of Forestry
Office: 503-945-7211
Oregon Department of Forestry
2600 State Street, Salem OR 97301
www.oregon.gov/ODF/<http://www.oregon.gov/ODF/>

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