Ohio Auditor of State Dave Yost - Press Releases - Performance Audits

Final ODJFS Performance Audit Report Released

Thu, 13 Jun 2013 12:00:00 -0400

Columbus – Fighting Medicaid fraud on the front end could save Ohio nearly $30 million, according to the final performance audit report of the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) released today by Auditor of State Dave Yost.

“Catching bad billings before they are paid means big savings for taxpayers,” Auditor Yost said. “This final report combines new recommendations with our prior interim work, bringing the total potential savings for Ohioans to $47.5 million. I commend Directors Colbert and McCarthy for their cooperation and taking the steps to improve their operations.”

“Our current biennial budget proposal includes a series of measures that will increase Medicaid’s audit and recovery capacities and ensure that millions in taxpayer dollars are accounted for,” said state Medicaid Director John McCarthy. “Having already successfully implemented a number of fraud control recommendations made by the Ohio Attorney General last year, Ohio Medicaid welcomes the assistance of Auditor Yost and his staff. It is my hope that these recommendations will help us to further build on our efforts to curb fraud and abuse.”

Today’s performance audit reports telephone monitoring and verification of home health care services can reduce fraudulent billings and save Ohio at least $19.75 million each year. Telephone monitoring requires home service providers to call from a client’s home phone or use a cell phone enabled with GPS technology to check in at a location and check out when departing. This verification helps prevent and deter double billing or billing for services never provided, and has had success in other states.

The report also recommends that ODJFS require surety bonds for high-risk Medicaid providers, which would increase fraud debt collections by at least $10 million each year. High-risk Medicaid providers include home health care providers, ambulance/ambulette services, and durable medical equipment providers.

“I appreciate Auditor Yost’s recommendations and the time his auditors spent learning about the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services and those we serve,” said ODJFS Director Michael Colbert. “Over the last two years, ODJFS has taken numerous steps to reduce administrative costs and streamline operations. Among other things, we’re consolidating field offices, encouraging counties to share services, and providing more services online.”

Included in today’s final report are the recommendations from three prior interim ODFJS performance audit reports. The first interim report recommended that ODJFS use appropriate state job classifications and increase efficiency at the Unemployment Compensation Review Commission to save up to $1 million annually. Recommendations from the second interim report included cutting the number of ODJFS supervisors and consolidating Medicaid provider enrollment functions, which could save the agency nearly $17 million. The third interim report provided ways to improve workforce development operations across the state.

If ODJFS implements all the recommendations, the return on investment for this performance audit is $100 for every dollar spent on the audit.

In early 2011, Auditor Yost worked with the Ohio General Assembly to pass Senate Bill 4, which requires performance audits of four state agencies every two years. The first four agencies to receive a performance audit were the Ohio Departments of Job and Family Services, Education, and Transportation, as well as the Ohio Housing Finance Agency. The performance audits of ODE and ODOT will be released in the coming weeks. The OHFA report was released on September 20, 2012. Auditor Yost is currently working to choose the next four agencies that will receive performance audits in the coming biennium.

A full copy of this performance audit report may be accessed online.

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The Auditor of State’s office, one of five independently elected statewide offices in Ohio, is responsible for auditing more than 5,700 state and local government agencies. Under the direction of Auditor Dave Yost, the office also provides financial services to local governments, investigates and prevents fraud in public agencies and promotes transparency in government.

Contact:
Carrie Bartunek
Press Secretary
614-644-1111

Performance Audit Digs Deep Into Workforce Development

Thu, 30 May 2013 12:00:00 -0400

Columbus – One workforce development area spends 97 percent of its funds on direct services to clients, while others spend as little as 41 percent, according to an interim performance audit of the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) released today by Auditor of State Dave Yost.

“A variation of 56 percentage points is just too much,” Auditor Yost said. “I commend ODJFS management for recognizing that and working to do something about it.”

This portion of the performance audit, requested by the Governor’s Office of Workforce Transformation (OWT), was designed to provide information on how Workforce and One-Stop system resources are used at the local level. Results found wide variances among workforce investment areas in whether money is spent on direct services – core and intensive, support services and training – or on administrative services such as program management and overhead.

The report recommends that the ODJFS Office of Workforce Development (OWD) collaborate to develop performance standards that exceed the federal requirements to drive improvements to Ohio’s Workforce Investment Act (WIA) system. The report also suggests that OWD and OWT work with WIA areas and one-stops to steer training away from occupations where data does not show substantial demand for jobs.

Another recommendation suggests that ODJFS standardize and automate the ways in which the 20 WIA areas report financial information to state-level managers. Once automated, ODJFS would be better able to improve the quality of the data collected.

Today’s interim report is part of a larger performance audit of ODJFS. Final performance audit reports of this agency, the Ohio Department of Education and the Ohio Department of Transportation will be released in June. A full copy of this interim report may be accessed online.

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Contact:
Carrie Bartunek
Press Secretary
614-644-1111

Performance Audit Supports "Project SHARE"

Tue, 21 May 2013 12:00:00 -0400

Columbus – Sharing a single treasurer or superintendent or both at the Barnesville Exempted Village and Union Local school districts (Belmont County) is supported by a performance audit released today by Auditor of State Dave Yost. The work, part of a larger collaboration including the University of Cincinnati, Ohio University and the East Central Ohio Educational Service Center, was funded by a state grant from the Local Government Innovation Fund.

“By their thoughtful, active, and forward-looking management, these two Belmont County schools have made themselves state leaders in government efficiency,” Yost said. “They took advantage of available resources to look for ways to save taxpayer money while still providing good services.”

The two districts applied for a state grant in February 2012 and were awarded $100,000 to support “Project SHARE,” a feasibility, benchmarking and staffing analysis to determine whether high-level administrative positions could be combined.

In addition to the Auditor of State’s office, participants in Project SHARE included the East Central Educational Service Center, which facilitated the project; the HRO agency, which prepared job descriptions; Pepple & Waggoner, legal services; and the University of Cincinnati and the Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Affairs at Ohio University, which conducted overall research and reporting.

The report released today is only one component of Project SHARE, focusing on reallocating workloads of existing administrative positions and reducing employee costs. The final Project SHARE report is expected to be released at a later date.

The Auditor of State’s Ohio Performance Team conducts performance audits by request and in cases of fiscal distress of local governments, including Ohio public school districts.

A full copy of this performance audit may be accessed online.

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Contact:
Carrie Bartunek
Press Secretary
614-644-1111

$333,000 in Potential Savings Found for Cloverleaf Local Schools

Thu, 16 May 2013 12:00:00 -0400

Columbus – Bringing benefits more in line with similar districts could save the Cloverleaf Local School District (Medina County) $330,000, according to a performance audit released today by Auditor of State Dave Yost.

“When you’re in the red, some difficult decisions need to be made,” Auditor Yost said. “Performance audits provide valuable insight to school districts in fiscal distress as they work to balance their books.”

Cloverleaf Local Schools could save approximately $97,000 annually by reducing the maximum sick leave payout. Employees currently receive payment for a maximum 90 days at retirement, which is significantly higher than the 30 days required by Ohio law. An additional $72,600 could be saved each year by increasing classified employee contributions to their health care premiums to 15 percent – up from 12 percent currently. By requiring the use of direct deposit and eliminating paper pay stubs, the district could save $4,800 annually.

The performance audit recognizes the Cloverleaf Local School District’s efforts to save money through a shared service agreement with the Medina City School District. The district was also commended for its effective energy conservation practices and its partnership with the Cloverleaf Rec Center to keep costs low.

The Auditor of State’s Ohio Performance Team conducts performance audits by request and in cases of fiscal distress of local governments, including Ohio public school districts. The performance audit of the district was requested by the Ohio Department of Education to help address projected deficits. The Cloverleaf Local School District was placed in fiscal emergency by the Auditor of State on January 24, 2012.

A full copy of this performance audit may be accessed online.

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Contact:
Carrie Bartunek
Press Secretary
614-644-1111

Performance Audit of Elyria Finds $6.7 Million in Potential Savings

Thu, 09 May 2013 12:00:00 -0400

Columbus – As much as $6.7 million could be saved by the City of Elyria through the implementation of 23 recommendations outlined in a performance audit released today by Auditor of State Dave Yost. Auditor Yost announced the results of the audit with Elyria Mayor Holly Brinda today in a press conference.

“We do dollars and cents, but there is more to life than money,” Auditor Yost said. “City officials will need to make the policy decisions that are best for Elyria’s citizens, as well as their pocketbooks.”

The performance audit provided a total of 23 recommendations with potential cost savings of $6,745,240. Replacing outdated water meters would reduce the amount of lost water, which could save the city as much as $1,130,575. By creating a joint dispatch center with Lorain County, the city could save an additional $204,960 each year. The outsourcing of residential sanitation services could save the city approximately $1,212,578 annually.

The report recommends the city develop formal energy management and conservation policies and reducing the city’s energy consumption by 10 percent, which could save $180,693 each year. Staff reductions across various departments could save $2,049,766. Reducing the amount of overtime the city pays could save $519,860 annually.

The performance audit commends the city for its efficient and effective income tax collections. When compared to similar entities, Elyria spent less on collections per citizen.

The Auditor of State’s Ohio Performance Team conducts performance audits by request and in cases of fiscal distress of local governments and public school districts. This performance audit of the City of Elyria was requested by city officials. Data for the performance audit was drawn from fiscal years 2011 and 2012.

A full copy of this performance audit may be accessed online.

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Contact:
Carrie Bartunek
Press Secretary
614-644-1111

Another $7.4 Million in Possible Savings Found

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 12:00:00 -0400

Columbus – As much as $7.4 million could be saved by the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) by mowing grass less often, as outlined in the performance audit interim report released today by Auditor of State Dave Yost.

“We need to cut back by mowing less,” Auditor Yost said. “Sometimes, it’s the simplest solutions that have the greatest impact.”

In calendar years 2010 and 2011, ODOT performed slightly more than four complete vegetation mowing cycles each year. Auditors compared this to ten similar states and found that Ohio could reduce its mowing to a three-cycle standard and maintain an acceptable roadway condition. Mowing at a standard of three cycles could save ODOT approximately $4.4 million each year. An additional $3 million could be saved each year by reducing another mowing cycle by employing an integrated vegetation management system.

The report also recommends that ODOT centrally coordinate the delivery of geotechnical services, including the determination of the most cost effective delivery option across the districts. In doing so, ODOT could have saved $233,000 in 2011. Additionally, the report offers recommendations to optimize the use of snooper trucks to conduct bridge inspections. ODOT is already taking steps to implement these recommendations.

This interim report is part of an agency-wide performance audit of the Ohio Department of Transportation. Legislation championed by Auditor Yost in 2011 requires performance audits be conducted of four state agencies each biennium. Other state agencies chosen to undergo performance audits this biennium are the Ohio Department of Education, the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, and the Ohio Housing Finance Agency.

A full copy of this interim report can be accessed online.

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The Auditor of State’s office, one of five independently elected statewide offices in Ohio, is responsible for auditing more than 5,600 state and local government agencies. Under the direction of Auditor Dave Yost, the office also provides financial services to local governments, investigates and prevents fraud in public agencies and promotes transparency in government.

Contact:
Carrie Bartunek
Press Secretary
614-644-1111

Interim Performance Report at Ohio Job and Family Services

Thu, 21 Mar 2013 12:00:00 -0400

Columbus – More than $10 million could be saved annually by cutting the number of supervisors at the state Department of Job and Family Services (JFS), according to an interim performance audit report released today by Auditor of State Dave Yost. An additional $7 million could be saved by consolidating Medicaid provider enrollment functions, improving food stamps benefits processes and implementing other changes.

“More people should be doing the work instead of bossing the work,” Yost said. “I give credit to Director Colbert, who previously improved his supervisory ratios. I’m confident he will move quickly on these recommendations.”

The report recommended increasing average “span of control”—the ratio of supervisors to employees—to one manager for each seven employees, as soon as practicable. In the next biennium the report recommends JFS increase average span of control to a range of 1:8 to 1:10. In an employee population of more than 4,100, including 600 supervisors, most of the reduction can be achieved through attrition from retirements, vacancies and job changes. Savings should amount to at least $2.7 million and $8 million in each phase.

The analysis found the following potential savings: using a “data brokering tool” to more quickly determine benefits eligibility, approximately $3.6 million; sharing services for document imaging, $1.4 million; consolidating the provider enrollment function, $427,000; and using electronic notices for the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program, $603,000. The report also recommends either eliminating an unused council for a savings of $34,000 annually or causing the council to fulfill its chartered function.

A full copy of this interim report can be found online.

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Contact:
Carrie Bartunek
Press Secretary
614-644-1111

Performance Audit Identifies $740,000 in Savings for Monroe Local Schools

Tue, 05 Mar 2013 12:00:00 -0400

Columbus – Increasing employee contributions to health care premiums and aligning staffing to peer levels are among as much as $740,000 in potential savings identified for the Monroe Local School District (Butler County) in a performance audit released today by Auditor of State Dave Yost.

Monroe LSD was placed into fiscal caution status in October 2011 by the Ohio Department of Education based upon projected deficits. Because the district did not submit acceptable plans to address the deficits, the district was declared in fiscal watch in February 2012 and subsequently in fiscal emergency in May 2012.

The audit made nine financial recommendations and five non-financial management recommendations. The six largest financial recommendations ranged from potential savings of $85,000 to $140,000 annually. They included increasing employee contributions to health care premiums to 15 percent, freezing step increases, reducing staff by 4.4 positions, eliminating two school buses, and either increasing participation fees for athletics or reducing athletic expenditures to peer levels. Total cost savings could be reduced by as much as $40,000 to reflect the cumulative effect of implementing all recommendations, some of which are alternatives.

Non-financial recommendations included developing a comprehensive staffing plan and reassigning some management responsibilities. The district was cited for a noteworthy achievement—the sharing of a business manager with Middletown City School District.

The Auditor of State’s Ohio Performance Team conducts performance audits by request and in cases of fiscal distress of local governments, including Ohio public school districts. The performance audit of the district was requested by the Ohio Department of Education based upon projected deficits in the district’s five-year forecast.

A full copy of the audit may be found online.

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Contact:
Carrie Bartunek
Press Secretary
614-644-1111

More than $1.3 million in Savings for Niles CSD Identified in State Performance Audit

Thu, 28 Feb 2013 12:00:00 -0400

Columbus – Increasing employee contributions to health care premiums and aligning staffing to peer levels are among more than $1.3 million in potential savings identified for the Niles City School District (Trumbull County) in a performance audit released today by Auditor of State Dave Yost.

“This district has worked hard to line up its expenses with its revenues,” Auditor Yost said. “Today’s report should help the district continue to do so.”

Niles CSD is self-insured and has negotiated for its employees to contribute 6.9 percent of the cost of family health insurance and 8.0 percent for single health insurance, compared to national averages for similar government plans of 18 percent for single and 28 percent for family. Increasing contribution levels to 15 percent would save the district approximately $520,000 annually. The audit also found that total premium cost for health insurance is higher than the state average.

The report also found that eliminating nine staff positions of more than 280 total positions, and an additional six positions in grounds-keeping and custodial staff, would save approximately $497,000 and $216,000 each. Non-financial recommendations included increased strategic planning, eliminating minimum staffing requirements from negotiated agreements, and conforming transportation reporting to state requirements.

The Auditor of State’s Ohio Performance Team conducts performance audits by request and in cases of fiscal distress of local governments, including Ohio public school districts. The performance audit of Niles CSD was requested by the Ohio Department of Education based upon projected deficits in the district’s five-year forecast.

A full copy of the audit may be found online.

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Contact:
Carrie Bartunek
Press Secretary
614-644-1111

Performance Audit Identifies $647,000 in Savings for City of Napoleon

Thu, 31 Jan 2013 12:00:00 -0400

Columbus – Using county dispatching services is one of 17 recommendations that could save the City of Napoleon (Henry County) more than $647,000 annually, according to a performance audit released today by Auditor of State Dave Yost.

“The city committed itself to an objective, independent and wide-ranging review,” Auditor Yost said. “This is serious, forward-looking public administration that will help taxpayers make sure the public purse never faces a ‘Waterloo’.”

The audit also recommends the city close or sell its municipal golf course, outsource operation of the municipal swimming pool, contract for municipal income tax administration, and make other changes in staffing and operations that could each save the city from $2,000 to $37,000 annually.

Non-financial recommendations, some of which could have subsequent financial effect, included evaluating the design of the city’s health care plan, establishing a resources plan for the city’s recreation services, and creating a fleet replacement plan.

A full copy of this audit can be found online.

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Contact:
Carrie Bartunek
Press Secretary
614-644-1111

Performance Audit Identifies $500,000 in Savings for City of Wooster

Thu, 24 Jan 2013 12:00:00 -0400

Columbus– Bringing fire and police compensation in line with peers and increasing employee contributions to health insurance are among $500,800 in potential savings identified for the City of Wooster (Wayne County), according to a performance audit released today by Auditor of State Dave Yost.

“Outside review provides a check on what you are doing and helps keep you grounded in the same fiscal reality faced by businesses and families every day,” Auditor Yost said. “The city stepped up and welcomed that scrutiny, and by and large, they’re running a pretty lean operation.”

A comparison of collective bargaining agreements with peers showed Wooster compensation levels ranging from approximately 6 to 8 percent above peers, offering a savings opportunity of $220,000 annually. Another $112,000 could be saved if employee health insurance contributions were raised to the statewide average.

The report also makes additional financial and non-financial recommendations, including use of part-time staff to reduce overtime costs, publishing PAFRs—popular annual financial reports—and making various incidental improvements to internal management policies.

A full copy of this audit can be found online.

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Contact:
Carrie Bartunek
Press Secretary
614-644-1111

More than $519,000 in Savings Identified for Village of Middlefield

Thu, 24 Jan 2013 12:00:00 -0400

Columbus – Village of Middlefield Mayor Ben Garlich said today that, although he had initial doubts whether savings could be identified, he is pleased with both the results and the process used in a performance audit released today by Auditor of State Dave Yost.

“It provided a necessary foundation to make some hard decisions,” Garlich said. “Auditors had to come in and work directly with our staff to find savings, and because our people were willing and the process was objective and non-intrusive, they did that in a way that built support.”

Yost said he was gratified by the village’s willingness to examine its own operations.

“It takes guts to subject yourself to an objective review, but that’s a great way -- sometimes the only way -- you’re going to find true savings,” Auditor Yost said.

Among the recommendations in the report, the largest savings of $405,600 could be realized by contracting out the village’s safety services to the Geauga County Sheriff. Included in this figure is $166,600 that the village has already begun to save by shifting its dispatch center to the Sheriff during the course of the audit.

An additional $114,000 in annual savings could result from other recommendations in the report, including reducing the vehicle fleet, and reducing staffing in the sewer plant and recreation department.

A full copy of this audit can be found online.

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Contact:
Carrie Bartunek
Press Secretary
614-644-1111

Interim Performance Report at Ohio Job and Family Services Identifies $1 million in Savings

Wed, 19 Dec 2012 12:00:00 -0400

Columbus–Using appropriate state job classifications and increasing efficiency at the Unemployment Compensation Review Commission in the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) would save Ohio taxpayers up to $1 million annually, according to an interim performance audit report released today by Auditor of State Dave Yost.

Ohio currently ranks nearly at the bottom, 44th of the 50 states, in how efficiently it processes unemployment compensation appeals.

“You don’t buy a Big Gulp when you only want a 12-ounce can of pop,” Auditor Yost said. “Going forward, this agency could reduce its costs substantially by hiring new officers at the appropriate pay scale and matching its capacity to its need.”

Ohio spends 286 minutes per case unit, while the top performing comparable states average 148 minutes. In addition to improved efficiency, the report also notes that, with forecasts of an improved economy, total commission workload is expected to decline.

Today’s report is part of an agency-wide performance audit of the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services. Under the authority of Ohio Revised Code 117.46, the Auditor of State’s office conducts performance audits of four state agencies each biennium. In addition to ODJFS, other state agencies this biennium include the state departments of Transportation and Education and the Ohio Housing Finance Agency.

A full copy of this interim report can be found online.

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Contact:
Carrie Bartunek
Press Secretary
614-644-1111

Performance Audit Identifies $463,000 in Savings for City of Chardon

Tue, 18 Dec 2012 12:00:00 -0400

Columbus– Consolidating dispatch operations and bringing employee health insurance contributions in line with peers are among $463,000 in potential savings identified for the City of Chardon (Geauga County), according to a performance audit released today by Auditor of State Dave Yost.

“Sharing services presents an opportunity for Chardon to achieve significant savings,” Auditor Yost said. “Finding such efficiencies is the current state of the art in public sector management.”

Coordinating emergency dispatch services with the Geauga County Sheriff’s office could save the city $147,000 in annual costs, while negotiating to increase the employee contribution for health insurance to peer levels could save an additional $118,000 annually. Controlling overtime and aligning staffing in the police and water departments with peer levels could save an additional $143,000.

Yost commended the city for actively managing its finances and seeking objective analysis of savings opportunities. The audit released today was financed by the state of Ohio Leverage for Efficiency, Accountability and Performance Fund, which allows local governments to obtain performance audits and pay the costs of the audit from savings.

A full copy of this audit can be found online.

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Contact:
Carrie Bartunek
Press Secretary
614-644-1111

More than $730,000 in Savings for Cuyahoga Heights LSD in Performance Audit

Tue, 11 Dec 2012 12:00:00 -0400

Columbus – Excess busing costs and spending more than double for extracurricular activities per student are among more than $730,000 in potential savings identified for the Cuyahoga Heights Local School District (Cuyahoga County) in a performance audit released today by Auditor of State Dave Yost.

“The district is making headway during what has been a hard couple of years,” Auditor Yost said. “These recommendations should help the district get back on solid ground with a sustainable budget.”

On a per-student basis, the district spends more than double the amount peer districts spend on extracurricular activities (134 percent additional). Total extracurricular spending (not taking into account variations in student population) exceeds $842,000, more than 50 percent higher than peers, offering a potential savings of $287,000. In transportation, the district approved, but did not carry out, a policy of providing only state-required busing levels. Following district transportation policy would save the district an additional $234,000. An additional $209,000 in potential savings could be achieved from other recommendations in the report relating to administrative and maintenance staffing, health benefits and other items.

The Auditor of State’s Ohio Performance Team conducts performance audits by request and in cases of fiscal distress of local governments, including Ohio public school districts. Cuyahoga Heights LSD has not suffered deficit financial forecasts, but the district has engaged in a cost reduction program and has limited expenditure growth to 1.2 percent during the past three years. The district’s fiscal year 2011 expenditures were approximately $17.4 million.

A full copy of the audit may be found online.

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The Auditor of State is one of five independently elected statewide offices under the Ohio Constitution. Auditor Yost’s office is responsible for auditing over 5,600 state and local government agencies. Staff also works in partnership with state and local governments to deal effectively with financial, accounting and budgetary issues.

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Performance Audit Finds $1.7 Million in Savings for Indian Creek Local Schools

Thu, 29 Nov 2012 12:00:00 -0400

Columbus – Nearly $800,000 in unnecessary bus and building expenditures is among more than $1.7 million in potential savings for Indian Creek Local School District (Jefferson County) identified in a performance audit released today by Auditor of State Dave Yost.

“The district is making progress on deficit reduction,” Auditor Yost said. “These recommendations should help achieve the ultimate goal of operating with a balanced budget.”

Nearly $800,000 in savings could be obtained from eliminating unnecessary buses from the fleet and from reconfiguring buildings to increase usage rates and eliminate unused capacity. Approximately $650,000 in savings would result from bringing staffing levels in line with peers, and $333,000 from bringing health insurance contributions and various work-related benefits such as leave and tuition reimbursement in line with peers.

The Auditor of State’s Ohio Performance Team conducts performance audits by request and in cases of fiscal distress of local governments, including Ohio public school districts. The performance audit of the Indian Creek Local School District was initiated on December 19, 2011 at the request of the Ohio Department of Education in response to forecasted financial deficits.

A full copy of this performance audit may be accessed online.

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Contact:
Carrie Bartunek
Press Secretary
614-644-1111

Performance Audit Identifies Savings for Fostoria

Tue, 27 Nov 2012 12:00:00 -0400

Columbus – Controlling the cost of employee benefits could save more than $200,000 annually for the City of Fostoria (Seneca County) according to a performance audit released today by Auditor of State Dave Yost.

“Fostoria runs a pretty lean operation and has an established history of giving a hard eye to its books,” Auditor Yost said. “Every government would do well to follow that approach.”

The audit released today identifies savings that represent about 3 percent of the city budget. Audit recommendations include renegotiating leave and holiday pay to bring the levels more in line with state and peer averages, monitoring sick leave and overtime use, and increasing employees’ share of health insurance costs.

The audit also makes a number of management recommendations, such as improved financial forecasting and strategic planning, developing inventory systems for equipment, and enhancing various management information systems and recordkeeping.

A full copy of this performance audit can be found online.

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Contact:
Carrie Bartunek
Press Secretary
614-644-1111

Performance Audit Finds More Than $3.8 Million in Savings for Marion City Schools

Tue, 27 Nov 2012 12:00:00 -0400

Columbus – Controlling health insurance costs and staffing levels could help save more than $3.8 million for Marion City Schools (Marion County) according to a performance audit released today by Auditor of State Dave Yost.

“Ohio school districts must take a hard look at all expenditures to find ways to save tax dollars,” Auditor Yost said. “In Marion City Schools, that hard look turned up potential savings of nearly 7 percent of its budget.”

The audit, requested by the school district, recommends paying only the employer’s share of retirement and not the employee’s share (pick-up) to save the district more than $240,000 annually. An additional $300,000 could be saved by reconfiguring buildings to reduce underused space. More than $1 million could be saved by requiring employees to pay a share of their health insurance expense that is more in line with peers, and $2.2 million could be saved if the district staffed at levels similar to peer districts.

A full copy of this performance audit can be found online.

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Contact:
Carrie Bartunek
Press Secretary
614-644-1111

Performance Audit Finds $1.3 Million in Savings in Findlay

Tue, 23 Oct 2012 12:00:00 -0400

Columbus – Contracting with the county Sheriff’s office for dispatch services and bringing health insurance and staffing in line with peers are among more than $1.3 million in potential annual savings available to the City of Findlay (Hancock County), according to a performance audit released today by Auditor of State Dave Yost.

“One of the big themes here is shared services,” Auditor Yost said. “There are opportunities to compare what the city does with what other nearby governments do, and then leverage that into savings for everybody.”

The potential savings in the audit amount to approximately 5 percent of the city’s 2012 budget. Other savings identified in the audit include consolidating the city and county boards of health, implementing a fuel conservation policy and negotiating changes to the city’s collective bargaining agreements.

The report commended the city for its budgeting process, including providing budget information to stakeholders, seeking broad input from city departments, and maintaining current financial forecasts.

The report also suggested that the city study whether the city airport could share costs with the nearby Bluffton airport, such as maintenance and fuel purchases.

A full copy of this audit can be found online.

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Performance Audit Finds $1.6 million in Savings for Gallipolis

Thu, 11 Oct 2012 12:00:00 -0400

Columbus – Improving water treatment infrastructure and contracting out services at the Village of the City of Gallipolis (Gallia County) are among nearly $1.6 million in potential savings identified in a performance audit report released today by Auditor of State Dave Yost.

“These recommendations could save about $1 of every $7 dollars the village spends,” Auditor Yost said. “Some of that is one-time, but a lot of it recurs each year. There are some good opportunities here for village taxpayers.”

The single largest savings was a long-term amount of $807,000 for replacing the village’s antiquated water distribution system. Eroding pipes and aging valves in a system that was estimated to be 50 to 70 years old contribute to the loss of nearly 30 percent of the water supplied to the village, at a cost of more than $480,000 in 2011. The report noted that upgrading the system is a significant long-term investment.

A savings of more than $450,000 could be realized annually by contracting with the Gallia County Sheriff for police services. The village’s per hour cost of police service exceeds $40, compared to about $24 for the county.

An additional $327,000 in annual savings could result from other recommendations in the report, including contracting with private firms or other government entities to operate the village swimming pool and collect income taxes.

A full copy of this audit can be found online.

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Contact:
Carrie Bartunek
Press Secretary
614-644-1111