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LINCOLN — A top-to-bottom reorganization of the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission is a step closer to reality.
Pending changes include, among other things, replacing three existing assistant directors with one deputy director and having conservation officers devote more time to fish, wildlife and educational programs.
Commissioners approved an internal study Thursday calling for Rex Amack, the commission director, to implement the changes.
Amack said no employees would be laid off. He said staff reductions would be handled through attrition.
Commissioner Mick Jensen of Blair, who led the study committee, said projected state budget shortfalls could cause a “bloodbath’’ in other state agencies next year.
“This agency is ahead of the game, and these changes will make (state budget troubles) much less disruptive than they would be otherwise,’’ he said.
Projected Game and Parks budget savings under the reorganization have not been determined, officials said.
The idea behind the reorganization is to create a more efficient and integrated workforce to manage wildlife conservation, enforce regulations and manage parks and education, Jensen said.
Amack said core objectives of the reorganization are to:
• Conserve and manage Nebraska’s biologically diverse fish and wildlife resources in the best long-term interests of the people of the state.
• Cultivate an understanding and appreciation of Nebraska’s natural and cultural resources by fostering enjoyable and affordable outdoor recreation opportunities.
• Conserve the state’s parkland resources for their ecological, cultural and recreational values.
Amack said the plan calls for the commission to spend no more than 55 percent of total conservation program expenditures on personnel costs, while spending at least 45 percent on program operations.
He said the commission carries an administrative burden that hinders getting programs into the field for hunters, anglers and park users.
The commission, like other state agencies, must prepare a proposed 2011-13 budget that is 10 percent less than its current budget, Amack said.
The reorganization will be the commission’s first since 1970, Amack said.
Contact the writer:
444-1127, david.hendee@owh.com
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