SABR News

News travels fast in state government and the grapevine was working overtime while I was on vacation.  As many of you have heard, I accepted the position of Deputy Administrator for BAM.  I am transitioning into the Deputy role over the next week or so while trying to complete a few things in the SABR section. A familiar face will replace me as the SABR Manager.  Janet Savarro will return to the SABR Section on June 1 as the new manager.  I am very excited to have Janet back in this new role and anticipate she will bring a new batch of fresh ideas with her following her recent rotation at DHS.  Please join me in welcoming Janet back.

 

CSL Report

Ten years ago, the ORBITS Project Team made a promise to agencies that a CSL/EBL report would be generated from the ORBITS system.  Well, the time has finally come to roll out the new BDV104 report.  Technically called the Biennial Budget Summary, this report replaces the spreadsheets that agencies have long been required to generate and submit as part of ORBITS audits and budget binders.  The file path to the report is Reporting à Budget Development à BDV104 – Biennial Budget Summary.  The report will be used during audits, but agencies do not need to submit it or the traditional spreadsheet.  The report will also be included as part of the standard report set for agency budget binders.  The report uses standard selection criteria and can be run at the agency wide, SCR and DCR levels in the “A01” version. 

 

We estimate use of the report will save 75 - 100 audit hours in SABRS.  I am certain it will save even more time in agencies.  Please send me an e-mail if you have an idea of the estimated timesavings in your agency. This will give us an idea of our return on investment. Also, we have tested the report with several agencies and believe we have worked out all the bugs. Contact orbits.help@state.or.us if something does not look quite right.

 

Pension Obligation Bonds

As I mentioned above, I am transitioning into the Deputy role. Part of my new responsibilities is to monitor statewide numbers, including calculating Pension Obligation Bond (POB) data for agencies to use during the budget prep cycle.  Now that the PICS start-up cycle is winding down and we have solid Base Budget numbers, I can begin those calculations. I anticipate sending fresh POB data to agencies soon.  I understand that for several agencies this is the last component you have been waiting on to submit your CSL audit transmittal.

 

Interactive Price List

The interactive price list has been updated with new numbers for State Data Center charges and DAS-Shared Client Services charges.  Be sure to review the price list at http://dasapp.oregon.gov/pricelist/index.asp prior to finalizing your package 031.

 

 

Brian E. DeForest

Deputy Administrator

Budget & Management Division, DAS

Desk Phone: (503) 378-5442