Minutes

WCF Home	U.S. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY
	WORKING CAPITAL FUND BOARD Minutes of the Meeting December 4, 2003

1.      Introduction

The Board Chair Howard Borgstrom called the meeting to order.

2.      Approval of Minutes August 27, 2003 Meeting

The Board adopted the minutes of the August 27 meeting without changes.

3.      Annual Financial Report

Howard Borgstrom presented the Board with the Annual Report, which states the financial position of the Fund operations in FY 2003.  The Fund posted net earnings of $0.6 MM on $87.6 MM of earnings.  Detailed discussion of the financial performance for each business with net earnings greater than $50,000 is included in the report.  The Fund collected $108.4 million from customers and there were no violations of administrative control of funds procedures. 

The Fund Manager accomplished all of the goals set out in the FY 2002 Annual Report, including; a revised mail pricing policy, payroll business outsourcing, electronic billing, and training designed specifically for business line employees.  In the coming year he identified the start-up of new businesses and new business segments, responding to the needs of new and reorganized customers, improved customer communications, new financial systems, and new IT businesses (eXITE).

The report is posted on the WCF Website for review.

4.      Revised Budget Estimate for Congressional Request

The Fund Manager distributed revised budget estimates for program customer Congressional Budget requests.  With the Board’s knowledge, he recognized reduced payroll business requirements in FY 2004/5.

5.      Electronic Devices and Dedicated Lines

Howard Borgstrom provided the Board with an overview of a proposal to add other electronic devices and dedicated circuits to the existing telephone business.  These activities are currently provided to customers in a fee for service activity outside of the Fund and including them in the Fund would not increase costs to customers.  The Board accepted adding these business segments to the telephone business but insisted that monthly certification must be maintained.  There is also an issue related to program versus program direction funding.  Funding other than program direction will be done outside the Fund.  CIO operations agreed to study the impact on customers and the business of this activity.

The Board approved adding these segments to the Fund without objection.  The projected costs prepared by the CIO and presented to the Board at this meeting were added to budget estimates for the Congressional requests.

6.      IT Working Group

Travis McCrory from the CIO organization briefed the Board on a proposal to charter an IT Advisory Committee to advise the Board on IT policy, to identify issues related to IT business lines, and to advance the Board’s goals in IT.  The Board approved the working group and the Fund Manager, Howard Borgstrom, is seeking recommendations for membership.

7.      CHRIS QuickClassification

Michael Fraser, the CHRIS business line manager, briefed the Board on an opportunity to extend the QuickClassification pilot for NNSA to the remainder of the Department.  The Board asked whether program resource managers had been briefed and what was their reaction?  It also requested clarification on issues related to out year costs and a breakout of costs per customer, so they could evaluate the impact on their individual programs.  The CHRIS business was directed to speak with program resource managers first to gauge their acceptance of this new offering.

8.      Revised BlueBook

Bob Emond addressed the Board to describe the new WCF Guide to Services, Policy, and Procedures (BlueBook).  It is web based and uses new technology to improve customer access to information, use, and better understanding of Fund businesses.

9.      The Board voted to adjourn

Representing the Board