A Performance Audit
A Summary Report on Full-time Equivalent State Employees for Fiscal Year 2017
December 2017
Summary Analysis
During fiscal year 2017, state agencies and higher education institutions employed an average of 327,015.7 full-time equivalent (FTE) employees. That was an increase of 3,589.4 FTEs (or 1.1 percent) compared with the average number of FTEs in fiscal year 2016 (323,426.3). Statewide, the average management-to-staff ratio complied with the statutorily mandated ratio. It is important to note that state agencies and higher education institutions self-reported the FTE data presented in this report, and the State Auditor’s Office did not independently verify that data.
State agencies employed an average of 149,519.3 FTEs in fiscal year 2017. That was an increase of 128.8 FTEs (or 0.1 percent) since fiscal year 2016.
Higher education institutions employed an average of 177,496.4 FTEs in fiscal year 2017. That was an increase of 3,460.6 FTEs (or 2.0 percent) since fiscal year 2016.
On average in fiscal year 2017, 98.7 percent of FTEs in state agencies and 43.4 percent of FTEs in higher education institutions were paid from appropriated funds. Statewide, in fiscal year 2017, 68.7 percent of FTEs were paid from appropriated funds, which includes 100.0 percent federally funded programs.
During fiscal year 2017, the State employed an average of 327,015.7 FTEs in state agencies and higher education institutions. Statewide, there was an increase of 3,589.4 FTEs (or 1.1 percent) when compared to fiscal year 2016 (323,426.3). Within state agencies, average FTEs increased by 128.8 (or 0.1 percent). Higher education institutions’ average FTEs increased by 3,460.6 (or 2.0 percent).
In the General Appropriations Act, the Legislature establishes state employment level limitations on FTEs. Those limitations have increased 1.4 percent compared to 10 years ago in fiscal year 2008. Compared with fiscal year 2016, state employment limitations in fiscal year 2017 increased by 1,254.3 FTEs (an increase of 0.5 percent).
During fiscal year 2017, no state agencies exceeded their legislatively mandated annual limitations on state employment levels; however, two state agencies exceeded their legislatively mandated quarterly limitations on state employment levels. During fiscal year 2017, 19 higher education institutions exceeded their limitations on state employment levels.
Statewide, the average management-to-staff ratio, calculated using FTEs, for fiscal year 2017 was 1:11.1 (1 manager or supervisor FTE per 11.1 supervised staff FTEs). State agencies averaged a management-to-staff ratio of 1:13.2, while higher education institutions averaged a management-to-staff ratio of 1:10.0.
During fiscal year 2017, higher education institutions reported an average of 2,677.9 FTEs in the administrator category; 34,345.8 FTEs in the faculty category; and 140,472.5 FTEs in the other staff category.
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