HomeMy WebLinkAbout03.e. Approve continuing Employee Computer Hardware Purchase Assistance ProgramCentral Contra Costa Sanitary District �•
' BOARD OF DIRECTORS
POSITION PAPER
Board Meeting Date: August 2, 2012
Subject: APPROVE CONTINUANCE OF EMPLOYEE COMPUTER HARDWARE
PURCHASE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
Submitted By: Initiating Dept. /Div.:
Thea Vassallo, CPA, CMA Administrative / IT/ Finance & Accounting
Finance Manager
REVIEWED AND RECOMMENDED FOR BOARD ACTION:
lqt4� 4.1
r1
a
. Li, T. Vassa o, K. Alm
IT inistrator Finance Manager
�
Ann Farrell,
General Manager
ISSUE: Board approval is required for continuance of the District's Employee
Computer Hardware Purchase Assistance Program.
RECOMMENDATION: Approve the continuance of the Employee Computer Hardware
Purchase Assistance Program effective August 2, 2012.
FINANCIAL IMPACTS: Currently $7,546 is invested in computer loans to District
employees.
ALTERNATIVES /CONSIDERATIONS: The Employee Computer Hardware Purchase
Assistance Program could be reduced or eliminated, however, this is not recommended
by staff.
BACKGROUND: The District's Employee Computer Hardware Purchase Assistance
Program was initially approved by the Board effective July 1, 1995, with a condition for
Board review every two years. In 2003, the Board requested that staff change this to
an annual review. Both the employees and the District benefit from this program. The
program provides employees with a low cost resource to purchase a home computer.
The program benefits the District by providing an opportunity for employees to enhance
their computer skills. The utilization of computers continues to increase at the District
and there are now few staff positions that do not use a computer.
One hundred and twenty two District employees have taken advantage of this program
since its inception in Fiscal Year 1995 -1996. At the August 6, 2009 Board meeting, the
Board recommended that the loan fund be reduced from $70,000 to $30,000 as the
needs over the years did not justify appropriating the bigger amount. The revolving
loan fund of $30,000 currently has $7,546 in outstanding loans with a $22,454 balance
available for new loans as of June 30, 2012. In the past year, 6 loans have been
extended for a total dollar amount of $10,946. The program is proposed to continue to
operate and retain the same basic structure.
N:\ADMINSUP\ADMIN \FINANCE MANAGER \Position Papers\2012\Approve Employee Computer Purchase Program 08-02 -
2012.doc
POSITION PAPER
Board Meeting Date: August 2, 2012
Subject: APPROVE CONTINUANCE OF EMPLOYEE COMPUTER HARDWARE
PURCHASE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
Program Overview
The District will charge participants at the LAIF interest rate, and will get the same rate
of return as it would if the loan fund were invested rather than extended to employees.
Other program policies and procedures are as follows:
• The program will continue to be administered by the Accounting Section
• The minimum loan amount is $600
• Only one loan can be outstanding at any time per employee for a maximum of
$2,000
• Purchased computers must be compatible with current District standards, and
will require the review of the IT Administrator
• Peripherals and software purchased with computers are covered by this program
(i.e. printers, disk drives, etc.)
As computer systems continue to change in this fast -paced industry, employees will
want to take advantage of newer technology. Continuing the District's Employee
Computer Hardware Purchase Assistance Program would allow employees to take
advantage of new technology. It will also allow employees who desire to improve their
computer skills an opportunity to do so by taking advantage of the low cost program.
The Computer Hardware Purchase Assistance Program was reviewed with the Budget
and Finance Committee on July 31, 2012. Staff recommends that this program be
continued and will report to the Board every year via Position Paper.
RECOMMENDED BOARD ACTION: Approve the continuance of the Employee
Computer Hardware Purchase Assistance Program effective August 2, 2012, for a one -
year period.
N:\ADMINSUP\ADMIN \FINANCE MANAGER \Position Papers\2012\Approve Employee Computer Purchase Program 08-02 -
2012.doc