State Representative Richard Adams
Performance Audit Bill Identifies State Spending Reductions 

A bill passed during the previous General Assembly is responsible for revealing huge savings for Ohio this year. 

The legislation was a joint effort between the House and Senate, and ultimately, Senate Bill 4 became law.  It requires performance audits of most state agencies, and was passed in April 2011.  The goal of this legislation was to make spending by the state more resourceful and accountable by conducting performance audits.  This year, that was achieved when the state auditor identified millions in savings thus far.  The first four agencies to receive this performance audit were the Ohio Department of Education, Ohio Department of Transportation, Ohio Department of Jobs and Family Services and the Ohio Housing Finance Agency. 

The performance audits work to create a comprehensive report regarding the efficiency and effectiveness of government agencies and their operations.  By seeking out ways to eliminate wasteful spending in state agencies, we are allowing for the savings of tax dollars and enhancing government accountability.  These types of audits are performed by comparing the performance of these agencies with benchmarks put into place by similar operations and peer-group standards.  This way, the state can make better use of its resources and reach budget goals.  It is important to make clear that the legislation only authorized the auditing of public agencies, and in no way impacts the records or actions of the private sector. 

The audits examined operations of state agencies to detect possible savings, duplicative or underused services, which could be reduced or eliminated, and gaps or overlaps in services.  Through this work, ODE’s audit identified approximately $430,000 in annual savings by modifying the Statewide Student Identifier System.  ODOT was found to be able to save approximately $19 million and ODJFS could save $2.76 million annually in payroll costs alone. 

This to me shows that the bill has made a significant difference in our state.  Watching how spending is allocated is a priority for Ohio and for this state legislature.  Reducing spending only benefits our citizens by nurturing a constructive budgetary system.  I believe that by making fiscally-responsible decisions such as this one, we can make Ohio’s public sector work more successfully.