| | It is not possible to estimate with any precision the fiscal impact of this bill, as no amount for the appropriation is known. It appears that HB 1620 proposes $500,000 for this program. The final amount, if any, is not known, nor is the average size of each grant. However, making some assumptions, the agency's likely cost to administer the proposed grants program can be assumed:
1. It is assumed that most of the administrative burden will come from the number of grants. In other words, the burden will be nearly as much for a small grant as for a larger one.
2. It is assumed that there will be no further reductions in division headcount; further reductions could affect our ability to carry out the new program without more resources.
3. Assuming that there would be no more than 15 grants per year, $40,000 would be needed for miscellaneous expenses such as part-time archaeological services, part-time clerical services, travel for project inspections, postage, equipment, and telephone expense.
4. Assuming that there would be 16 to 35 grants per year, it would be necessary to hire a full-time archaeologist to administer the program for an annual cost of $70,000 (salary and fringes + equipment, EDP, travel, etc.)
5. Assuming that there would be more than 35 grants per year, it would be necessary to hire a full-time archaeologist and a half-time grants assistant to administer the program for an annual cost of $100,000 (salaries + equipment, EDP, travel, etc.). |