Table of Contents - Governor's Office of Planning and Budget

FY 2014 Zero-Based Budget Report
Department of Agriculture
ZBB Program: Consumer Protection
Purpose of Review
Results of Analysis
1. Statutory Alignment: Most program activities are aligned with statutory responsibilities.
2. Staffing Levels: There are 402 positions assigned to the program.
3. Fleet Management: There are 242 vehicles assigned to the program.
4. Measures: The measures reflect input from the three budget offices. The agency should continue to identify additional
measures that focus on compliance, efficiency, and workload.
5. Budget Impact: Reduce program budget by $532,198. The specific reductions are listed below.
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The purpose of this review is to evaluate the cost effectiveness of program activities, ensure that performance
measures effectively track progress to program goals, and assess inspections performed.
Program Operations:
The department has reviewed fee structures in this program over the past two years to determine appropriate fees for
services provided. Currently, commercial scales are inspected, but a fee is not charged to the business owners for the
service provided. There are over 23,000 scales that must be inspected.
Recommendation: Institute fee of $25 for small scale inspections and $100 for large scale inspections to more closely
cover the costs of administering the service.
Investigation of pet animal complaints by the Pet Animal Protection division is duplicative of local services and is not
statutorily required. Local animal control officers currently conduct complaint investigations, are authorized by Georgia
statute to do so, and are statutorily required to report results of investigations to the Division.
Revenues from fees and fines resulting from annual licensing, inspection, and investigation of complaints by the Animal
Protection division are not sufficient to cover the cost of providing the services.
Recommendation: Continue to provide license and inspection services, but explore alternatives to conducting
complaint investigations.
The department encumbered over $177,000 in supplies and materials expenses in the last budget period of FY 2012.
Recommendation: Reduce funds for regular operating expenses ($65,194).
10. Reduce funds for program operations to meet required budget reductions as requested by the agency ($467,004).
Office of Planning and Budget 10