The 2009 Executive Budget Document
Department of Forensic Science
Mission Statement
The Department of Forensic Science’s mission is to protect the public’s safety, support law enforcement and the judiciary, and advance the growth and understanding of forensic science.
Operating Budget History
| General Fund | Nongeneral Fund | Positions | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 Appropriation | $ 0 | $ 0 | 0.00 |
| 2006 Appropriation | $ 0 | $ 0 | 0.00 |
| 2007 Appropriation | $ 32,369,979 | $ 0 | 310.00 |
| 2008 Appropriation | $ 34,080,633 | $ 0 | 317.00 |
| General Fund | Nongeneral Fund | Positions | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 Base Budget | $ 35,703,991 | $ 1,505,984 | 320.00 |
| 2009 Addenda | $ (877,447) | $ 0 | (5.00) |
| 2009 Total | $ 34,826,544 | $ 1,505,984 | 315.00 |
| 2010 Base Budget | $ 35,703,991 | $ 1,505,984 | 320.00 |
| 2010 Addenda | $ (765,949) | $ 1,520,295 | (4.00) |
| 2010 Total | $ 34,938,042 | $ 3,026,279 | 316.00 |
Recommended Operating Budget Addenda
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Increase appropriation to reflect grant awardAdjusts appropriation for receipt of a federal grant to perform post-conviction DNA testing where actual innocence might be demonstrated. This action will curtail the need to administratively increase the agency's appropriation for the duration of the grant. For 2010, $1.5 million (NGF).
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Address operational costs at new Northern Virginia forensic laboratoryProvides funding to support increased operational costs at the new Northern Virginia forensic laboratory. The larger facility will soon be ready for occupancy and additional resources are required to address an anticipated increase in maintenance and utility costs. For 2010, $1.2 million (GF) and an increase of one position.
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Reflect Governor’s October reductions in agency budgetsReflects the reductions approved by Governor Kaine in October 2008 for 2009 and the corresponding continuation of savings in 2010. See Part D of this document for reduction details. For 2009, a decrease of $877,447 (GF) and five positions. For 2010, a decrease of $1.7 million (GF).
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Implement targeted reductionsImplements targeted reductions for 2009 and 2010 included in Governor Kaine's 2008-2010 Budget Reduction Plan. Reduction details can be found in Part D of this document. For 2010, a decrease of $267,484 (GF).
Budget Reduction Strategies
October Reduction Strategies
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Delay payment on maintenance contracts for scientific equipment
Delays the payment on equipment maintenance contracts from FY 2009 to FY 2010.
FY 2009 FY 2010 General Fund Savings $ (200,000) $ 0 -
Eliminate lodging and per diem reimbursement for training and certification classes
Eliminates lodging and per diem reimbursement for students attending breath alcohol test training and certification classes. Persons performing these tests are required by the Code of Virginia to be licensed. The localities sending these individuals for training will be required to pay their expenses.
FY 2009 FY 2010 General Fund Savings $ (60,191) $ (103,186) -
Eliminate lodging expenses for the training academy
Eliminates the reimbursement of lodging expenses for the attendees of the Virginia Forensic Science Academy, a 10-week school of crime scene technology. The localities sending these individuals for training will be required to pay their expenses.
FY 2009 FY 2010 General Fund Savings $ (55,221) $ (110,443) -
Freeze recruitment of classified positions
Freezes recruitment for scientific and administrative positions that are currently unfilled.
FY 2009 FY 2010 General Fund Savings $ (367,155) $ (405,941) -
Freeze recruitment of positions
Freezes the recruitment for scientist positions upon the anticipated retirement of incumbents.
FY 2009 FY 2010 General Fund Savings $ (28,307) $ (203,470) -
Reduce director's office staff
Eliminates a management position within the office of the agency director. Duties and responsibilities will be reassigned within the current organizational structure.
FY 2009 FY 2010 General Fund Savings $ (69,265) $ (69,739) Position Changes (1.00) (1.00) Layoffs 1 0 -
Reduce the number of wage employees
Eliminates 12 wage positions that provide support services to the agency's scientific disciplines.
FY 2009 FY 2010 General Fund Savings $ (105,209) $ (300,216) -
Reduce the number of training academy sessions
Reduces the number of Virginia Forensic Science Academy training sessions from three to two annually. This strategy also eliminates two wage training instructor positions.
FY 2009 FY 2010 General Fund Savings $ (19,801) $ (71,884) -
Reorganize the Division of Technical Services
Reorganizes the division by consolidating technical management for all scientific disciplines. This division coordinates programs statewide to assure uniformity in the operation of all four laboratories.
FY 2009 FY 2010 General Fund Savings $ 31,636 $ (394,298) Position Changes (4.00) (4.00) Layoffs 4 0 -
Revert surplus property recoveries
Reverts recoveries from the disposal of antiquated equipment.
FY 2009 FY 2010 General Fund Savings $ (3,934) $ 0
December Reduction Strategies
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Absorb Workforce Transition Act retirement costs in the Virginia Retirement System
When an agency implements layoffs for employees eligible for retirement, in lieu of severance, the employee is offered an enhanced retirement package. In such cases, the agency would normally pre-pay the Virginia Retirement System for the cost of the enhanced package. This savings strategy would require the Virginia Retirement System to temporarily absorb such costs incurred as the result of layoffs in the Governor's 2008-10 reduction plan and amortize the cost as part of future actuarial valuations.
FY 2009 FY 2010 General Fund Savings $ 0 $ (181,176) -
Remove additional funding for pay practices
Removes the half-percent pay practices funding granted to Executive branch agencies in the 2006-08 biennium.
FY 2009 FY 2010 General Fund Savings $ 0 $ (86,308)