Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Chairman, I will keep my remarks today brief. I am pleased to present the Department of Public Works and Services interim appropriation for the first four months of the fiscal year 2000-2001. The budget for operations and maintenance is $12.3 million, which is 34 percent of the Department of Public Works and Services preliminary planning target.
This percentage is in line with historical expenditures for the first third of previous fiscal years. The major components are $4.2 million for salaries and benefits, $4.5 million for lease payments and $1.8 million for maintenance.
The capital interim appropriation amount is based on projects that need to begin before the end of July. There is a list of these projects in the papers before you.
Mr. Chairman, this plan was built from a review of the department's expenditure history, as well as an estimate of new year requirements. Overall, the proposed interim budget is comparable to the current year's budget. No major changes have been proposed for the new fiscal year.
Mr. Chairman, that concludes my opening remarks. I would be happy to answer any questions the committee members may have. Thank you.