News

For Immediate Release

COLUMBUS – The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) should collect and analyze additional information about federally funded workforce development programs to better track their effectiveness in securing employment for out-of-work residents, according to a report released Thursday by Auditor of State Keith Faber.

For Immediate Release

Columbus – Middle and high school students enrolled in the state’s College Credit Plus (CCP) program saved more than $163 million in tuition costs in 2021, an average of $4,368 per family, according to a new report issued Tuesday by Auditor of State Keith Faber.

For Immediate Release

Columbus – The Ohio Department of Natural Resources has steadily increased the number of abandoned oil and gas wells plugged throughout the state over the past decade, but the agency is still spending only about half of the funding required, Auditor of State Keith Faber announced.

For Immediate Release

Columbus – The Ohio Department of Higher Education (ODHE) should ensure the state’s public colleges and universities are submitting up-to-date information annually about their facilities – data that are needed in determining future capital investments for maintaining aging buildings, constructing new ones, or shifting resources to accommodate increasingly online learning, according to an audit released Tuesday by Auditor of State Keith Faber.

For Immediate Release

Columbus – Auditor of State Keith Faber’s Office released the first of two audits of the Ohio Job and Family Services (ODJFS) unemployment system. This performance audit was required by the Ohio General Assembly in response to egregious customer service failures brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Each 1% improvement across all the scope areas could have a $13 million financial impact annually

Initial Analysis Suggests $21 Million in Possible Annual Savings

Auditor of State Keith Faber today released a performance audit of the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services, which recommends that the department implement a new fund distribution formula that could potentially redirect $15 million to higher need regions and identifies a possible $1.2-2 million in annual savings.

Auditor of State Keith Faber today released a performance audit of the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency’s (Ohio EPA) real estate footprint, which recommends potential savings of $2.7 million in the first year. 

Auditor of State Keith Faber today released the performance audit of the Department of Administrative Services (DAS) Fleet Management which recommends potential changes that could yield more than $6 million in savings over the next two years

A performance audit released today by Auditor of State Keith Faber provides Field Local School District (Portage County) with recommendations to address their self-reported projected deficit condition over the next five years.

Cuyahoga Falls City School District could save $5.5 million annually and avoid a projected 2023 deficit of more than $22 million by adopting the recommendations of a performance audit released today by Auditor of State Dave Yost.

The St. Marys City School District (Auglaize County) could achieve annual savings of slightly more than $1.58 million through staff reductions and other measures recommended in a performance audit released today by Auditor of State Dave Yost.

By optimizing use of printers and copiers; adopting consistent, efficient hiring and financial transactions processes, and moving computer servers to cost-effective data centers, The Ohio State University could save more than $6.4 million annually and better support its educational goals, according to a performance audit released today by Auditor of State Dave Yost.

Performance audits of school districts have produced more than $138 million in savings recommendations since 2011

Spending is expected to exceed revenue for 93 percent (569) of Ohio’s public school districts over the next five years, according to a new report from Auditor of State Dave Yost’s office. Fortunately, more than half of these districts have carryover balances that will keep them in the black through the period. 

The Howland Local School District (Trumbull County) could achieve annual savings of slightly more than $3.4 million through staff reductions and other measures recommended in a performance audit released today by Auditor of State Dave Yost.

The Waterloo Local School District (Portage County) could achieve annual savings of $429,300 through staff reductions and other measures recommended in a performance audit released today by Auditor of State Dave Yost.

The Belpre City School District (Washington County) could achieve average annual savings of $641,400 based on recommendations of a performance audit released today by Auditor of State Dave Yost. 

The Geneva Area City School District (Ashtabula County) could achieve annual savings of $272,200 based on recommendations of a performance audit released today by Auditor of State Dave Yost. 

In a first-of-its-kind feasibility study, Auditor of State Dave Yost has determined that several Belmont County School districts could improve efficiency and save money by combining bus maintenance services.

The Niles City School District could save almost $3.4 million annually and avoid a projected 2022 deficit of nearly $11.6 million by adopting the recommendations of a performance audit released today by Auditor of State Dave Yost.

Madison-Plains Local School District could save nearly $1.8 million and eliminate a projected 2022 deficit of $7.4 million by adopting the recommendations of a performance audit released today by Auditor of State Dave Yost.

Bringing staffing, salaries and benefits in line with peer school districts will help James A. Garfield Local School District (Portage County) pare about $1.5 million annually from its budget over the next three years, according to a performance audit released today by Auditor of State Dave Yost.

The City of Gahanna (Franklin County) could see annual savings of more than $440,000 based on recommendations of a performance audit released today by Auditor of State Dave Yost. 

Changes Could Save $1.1 Million for Taxpayers, Funeral Directors and Registrars

Using data driven decision-making, the Ohio Department of Health can protect vulnerable populations in the state’s nursing homes and related long-term care facilities more efficiently, according to a performance audit released today by Auditor of State Dave Yost.

The Ohio Department of Agriculture could earn nearly $500,000 in additional revenue each year by consolidating office and laboratory space and renting out the surplus, based on recommendations of a performance audit released today by Auditor of State Dave Yost.

The City of Portsmouth (Scioto County) could see annual savings of nearly $374,000 and claim one-time benefits of $639,000 based on recommendations of a performance audit released today by Auditor of State Dave Yost. 

The Delaware City School District (Delaware County) could save nearly $4.6 million based on recommendations of a performance audit released today by Auditor of State Dave Yost.

Auditor of State Dave Yost is scheduled to visit the Perkins Local School District in Erie County today to note the progress district officials have made to head off projected operating deficits and to mark the release of a performance audit recommending $1.7 million in additional spending reductions to augment the district’s own stringent efforts.

State auditors today offered $6 million in savings recommendations to help the Parma City School District (Cuyahoga County) alleviate its financial stress. 

The sewer district that serves the greater Cincinnati area could trim costs by $1.9 million without impacting services to citizens, according to a performance audit released today that showed some of the district’s costs are higher than its peers.

The Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC) could realize a $2.5 million positive financial impact through facility optimization, according to a performance audit released today by Auditor of State Dave Yost.

Legislation granting the Auditor of State’s office authority to conduct performance audits of higher education institutions passed through the Ohio House of Representatives today and awaits Gov. John Kasich’s signature. It received Senate approval on Wednesday. 

Open enrollment can boost a school district’s revenue if managed carefully but may result in a financial loss if associated costs and policy decisions are overlooked, Auditor Yost said in a special report released today.

University is first higher-ed institution to undergo performance audit

To amplify the university’s ongoing efficiency work, The Ohio State University and the Auditor of State’s office will collaborate on the state’s first performance audit of a higher education institution.

The Hubbard Exempted Village School District (Trumbull County) realized a $1 million net gain through the careful management of its open enrollment program, according to a performance audit released today by Auditor of State Dave Yost. The audit identified more than $1.1 million in potential savings.

The Austintown Local School District (Mahoning County) could save more than $766,000 by modifying its open enrollment practices, according to a performance audit released today by Auditor of State Dave Yost. The audit identified over $1.4 million in potential savings. 

A performance audit released today by Auditor of State Dave Yost commended the Madison Local School District (Lake County) for its open enrollment practices and provided 11 recommendations to help it save $990,900.

The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) could save up to $3.5 million annually by replacing outdated structures with more efficient facilities that are more strategically located, according to a performance audit released today by Auditor of State Dave Yost. 

Increasing class size limits for grades K-3 is one of several steps the Cincinnati City School District (Hamilton County) can take to save more than $11.3 million, according to a performance audit released today by Auditor of State Dave Yost.

The Northmont City School District (Montgomery County) could save more than $2.2 million by adjusting staffing, benefits and bus levels, according to a performance audit released today by Auditor of State Dave Yost. 

A performance audit of the Coventry Local School District (Summit County) released today by Auditor of State Dave Yost identified more than $1.8 million in potential savings, mostly by reducing the number of open enrollment students it accepts. The district admits the most open enrollment students in the state.

More than $2.6 million in potential savings were identified in a performance audit of the Canton City School District (Stark County) released today by Auditor of State Dave Yost.

More than $1 million in potential savings were identified in a performance audit of the Gallipolis City School District (Gallia County) released by Auditor of State Dave Yost.

More than $2 million in potential savings were identified in a performance audit of the Brunswick City School District (Medina County) released today by Auditor of State Dave Yost.

More than $560,000 in potential savings were identified in a performance audit of Jefferson Township (Franklin County) released today by Auditor of State Dave Yost.

More than $850,000 in potential savings were identified in a performance audit of the Newcomerstown Exempted Village School District (Tuscarawas County) released today by Auditor of State Dave Yost. 

More than $1 million in potential savings were identified in a performance audit of the Walnut Township Local School District (Fairfield County) released today by Auditor of State Dave Yost. 

More than $3.7 million in potential savings were outlined in a performance audit of the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (OEPA) released today by Auditor of State Dave Yost.

A performance audit of the Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction (ODRC) released today by Auditor of State Dave Yost outlines recommendations to save tax dollars by improving data quality and collection. 

More than $650,000 could be saved each year in the City of Martins Ferry’s (Belmont County) water and public safety departments, according to a performance audit released today by Auditor of State Dave Yost.

A performance audit of the Sheffield-Sheffield Lake City School District (Lorain County) released today by Auditor of State Dave Yost offers several ways the district could address a looming deficit.

More than $345,000 in potential savings were identified in a performance audit of the Northmor Local School District (Morrow County) released today by Auditor of State Dave Yost.

Additional efficiencies in the Ohio Department of Transportation’s (ODOT) fleet operation could save more than $1.7 million, according to a performance audit released today by Auditor of State Dave Yost.

More than $2.6 million identified as potential annual savings could be realized at Springfield Local School District (Lucas County), according to a performance audit released today by Auditor of State Dave Yost.

Nearly $3 million in potential annual savings were identified at Middletown City School District (Butler County), according to a performance audit released today by Auditor of State Dave Yost.

More than $730,000 could be saved each year by the Monroeville Local School District (Huron County), according to a performance audit released today by Auditor of State Dave Yost.

Nearly $630,000 in recommended savings could help struggling Shadyside Local School District close a deficit gap, according to a performance audit released today by Auditor of State Dave Yost.   

Final Report Shows Value of Data Collection

In total, the performance audit recommendations could create an annual financial impact of $8,294,327 and one-time savings of $3,940,606.

A nearly $450,000 projected deficit could be transformed into a $1.8 million surplus by reducing size to meet peer, regional and industry averages at Cardington-Lincoln Local School District, according to a performance audit released today by Auditor of State Dave Yost.   

Interim Report Part Three: Capital Investment, Planning and Budgeting

Strategic investments into cabins and campgrounds within Ohio’s state parks could generate more than $3.3 million in average annual returns and $3.8 million in one-time cost avoidance, according to an interim performance audit report of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) released today by Auditor of State Dave Yost. 

Closing the elementary school and improving the cost effectiveness of the employee health insurance program can help the Hillsdale Local School District (Ashland County) save as much as $990,000.

Altering expenditures to align with its peers could save the struggling Mansfield City School District (Richland County) $4.7 million per year.

Interim Report Part Two: Fish Hatchery Operations

Taxpayers won’t find themselves on-the-hook for wasteful spending at the Ohio Department of Natural Resources’ (ODNR) Fish Hatchery Operations, according to an interim performance audit report released today by Auditor of State Dave Yost. 

Operating by data-driven fleet management standards could generate financial gains of more than $1 million for the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR), according to an interim report released today by Auditor of State Dave Yost.

The city of Niles (Trumbull County) could realize a variety of potential savings and efficiencies, according to a performance audit released today by Auditor of State Dave Yost.

Lockland Local School District has implemented multiple cost-saving recommendations from a performance audit released today by Auditor of State Dave Yost.

Nearly $888,000 in annual savings could be realized at Clearview Local School District (Lorain County), according to a performance audit released today by Auditor of State Dave Yost.

Brookfield Local School District (Trumbull County) could save nearly $250,000 per year and move closer toward shedding its fiscal emergency status, according to a performance audit released by Auditor of State Dave Yost.

Potential for $566,000 in Annual Savings Identified

Modernizing the antiquated operations of the Mahoning County Engineer’s Office would save money and increase efficiency, according to a performance audit released today by Auditor of State Dave Yost

Switzerland of Ohio Local School District’s current spending exceeds its peers in some areas and could be reduced by $2 million per year, according to a performance audit released today.

Increasing energy efficiency and aligning staff levels with similar school districts would contribute to more than $3.75 million in potential savings at Rossford Exempted Village School District in Wood County.

More than $800,000 could immediately be saved by the cash-strapped Ledgemont Local School District in Geauga County through the implementation of recommendations made in a performance audit released today

Implementing a sick leave policy and increasing transportation efficiency would contribute to potential savings of more than $767,000, according to a performance audit of Mechanicsburg Exempted Village School District released today by Auditor of State Dave Yost. 

Cutting down on unnecessary water loss could help save the City of Bellefontaine (Logan County) as much as $253,000.

A review of Tecumseh Local School District, as requested by the Ohio Department of Education, identified $1,117,581 in potential savings, according to a performance audit released today by Auditor of State Dave Yost. 

As much as $628,000 could be saved every year by the City of Massillon through the implementation of 13 recommendations outlined in a performance audit released today by Auditor of State Dave Yost. 

The following audits will be released Tuesday, April 1, 2014.

A review of Galion City School District, as requested by the Ohio Department of Education, identified $654,254 in potential savings, according to a performance audit released today by Auditor of State Dave Yost. 

A review of Conotton Valley Union Local School District identified $275,490 in potential savings, according to a performance audit released today.

As much as $1.4 million could be saved annually by the Perkins Local School District (Erie County) according to a performance audit released today by Auditor of State Dave Yost.

Auditor of State Dave Yost today announced that the Ohio Department of Natural Resources will be the next state agency to undergo a performance audit as required by Ohio law.   

West Clermont Local School District (WCLSD) has saved more than $2 million during the 2013-14 school year by implementing recommendations from a performance audit released today by Auditor of State Dave Yost.

The following audits will be released Tuesday, December 24, 2013.

More than $613,000 in potential savings for the Caldwell Exempted Village School District (Noble County) was identified in a performance audit released today by Auditor of State Dave Yost.

The following audits will be released Tuesday, October 22, 2013. 

A performance audit released today by Auditor of State Dave Yost outlines options for the district to save an additional $1.7 million.

The following audits will be released Tuesday, October 8, 2013. 

As much as $1.2 million in potential savings for the Northwest Local School District (Scioto County) was found in a performance audit released today by Auditor of State Dave Yost.

The following audits will be released Thursday, September 5, 2013.

 A performance audit of the district released by Auditor of State Dave Yost provides a total of more than $430,000 in potential savings.

Improving information management and balancing the ratio of employees to supervisors are among more than $5.7 million in potential savings.

Auditor of State Dave Yost made $23 million in recommendations for savings to the Ohio Department of Transportation in a performance audit released today.

Total Savings Surpass $47.5 Million

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).

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.

Barnesville, Union Local Consider Sharing Treasurer

Sharing a single treasurer or superintendent or both at the Barnesville Exempted Village and Union Local school districts is supported by a performance audit released today by Auditor of State Dave Yost.

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

Fourth ODOT Performance Audit Interim Report Released

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.

Identifies Nearly $17 million in Savings

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. 

Increasing employee contributions to health care premiums and aligning staffing to peer levels are among the potential savings identified for the Monroe Local School District.

Increasing employee contributions to health care premiums and aligning staffing to peer levels are among the potential savings identified for the Niles City School District in a performance audit released today.

More than $647,000 could be saved annually in the City of Napoleon if recommendations from a performance audit released today by Auditor of State Dave Yost are followed.

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.

City Administration Already Implementing Changes

Village of Middlefield Mayor Ben Garlich said today he is pleased with both the results and the process used in a performance audit released today by Auditor of State Dave Yost.

Report Focuses on Unemployment Compensation Review Commission

An interim performance audit of the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) was released today by Auditor of State Dave Yost.

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, according to a performance audit released today.

Excess busing costs and spending more than double for extracurricular activities per student are among the potential savings identified for the Cuyahoga Heights Local School District in a performance audit released today.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

Moving Ohio’s outsourced Statewide Student Identifier system (SSID) to the Ohio Department of Education (ODE) could save more than $430,000 annually, or $4.3 million over a 10-year period, according to an interim performance audit report released today by Auditor of State Dave Yost.

Warrensville Heights City School District (Cuyahoga County) should improve its budgeting and early intervention procedures, according to an audit released today by Auditor of State Dave Yost.

Privately contracting for solid waste collection and street sweeping could save the City of Cincinnati Public Service Department more than $2 million annually, according to a performance audit released today by Auditor of State Dave Yost.

The Erie County Auditor’s office was recognized for efficient staffing and high productivity in a performance audit released today by Auditor of State Dave Yost.

Adjustments to staff levels and bus routes will help the Upper Scioto Valley Local School District (Hardin County) address forecasted future deficits according to a performance audit released today by Auditor of State Dave Yost. 

Overhauling insurance programs could help save more than $1.7 million at the Buckeye Local School District, according to a performance audit released today by Auditor of State Dave Yost.

Although Ohio law permits townships to pay employees cash in lieu of health insurance, Goshen Township (Clermont County) exceeded allowable amounts for such payments by nearly $12,000, according to an audit released today by Auditor of State Dave Yost.

Renegotiating health insurance costs and administrator pensions could save $355,000 annually at the Black River Local School District (Medina County), according to a performance audit released Thursday by Auditor of State Dave Yost.

Implementation Could Save Taxpayers $800,000 Per Year

Taxpayers spent an extra $3.3 million over the last four years to pay for ODOT’s mandated use of biodiesel fuel in its vehicles, according to a performance audit interim report released by Auditor of State Dave Yost.

State agency performance audit gives 20-to-one return

A total of $6 million in potential savings was identified in the status update report to the Ohio Department of Transportation released today by Auditor of State Dave Yost.

Twenty-one recommendations add up to more than $1.3 million in potential annual savings for the city of Maumee, according to a performance audit released Thursday by Auditor of State Dave Yost.

A performance audit prompted by the London City School District’s (Madison County) fiscal caution status identified more than $1.3 million in potential savings, according to the report released by Auditor of State Dave Yost today.

Health insurance, transportation and special education are the three largest opportunities among more than $1.3 million in potential cost-savings at Madison Local School District in Lake County, according to a performance audit released today by Auditor of State Dave Yost.

“This performance audit gives management the data to make wise decisions about personnel costs," Auditor of State Dave Yost said. The report revealed that employees of the Greene County Educational Service Center make more than their peers.

As much as $81,000 annually can be saved by the Pickerington Police Department through changes to its employee benefit package, according to the performance audit released today by Auditor of State Dave Yost

Potential cost savings of $2,014,400 were identified in the performance audit of Butler County.

“By stepping in line with their peers, the Portsmouth City Schools could make great strides toward maintaining future financial stability,” Auditor Yost said.  “Results like these prove what a difference performance audits can make.”

Commends Overall Operations; Offers Recommendations for Improvement

In the first audit of its kind since the passage of legislation earlier this year authorizing performance audits of state agencies, Auditor of State Dave Yost announced today that the performance audit of his office is now complete

“These potential cost savings could go a very long way in helping the Parma City Schools become fiscally fit again, ”said Auditor of State Dave Yost.

Department of Public Services to be Audited

Auditor of State Dave Yost praised the Cincinnati City Council for their unanimous, bipartisan vote yesterday to authorize a performance audit to “skinny down” the city’s Department of Public Services.

Performance Audit Recommendations Released Today by Auditor Yost

“Strong financial controls are the foundation of strong organizations and build safety for public money,” Auditor Yost said. “I commend the leadership of the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District for requesting this review.”

More than $3 Million in Savings Recommended

“If the City of Mansfield follows these recommendations, it will be their road out of fiscal emergency,” Auditor Yost said.

More than $1.4 million in savings recommended

“I am delighted the administration at Graham Local Schools has already implemented many of the recommended savings from this performance audit,” Auditor Yost said. “In times where schools must cope with dwindling dollars, it’s encouraging that the district is being proactive in “skinnying down” operations to ensure its fiscal health for the future.”

More than $300,000 in savings recommended

“Efficient and effective operations was the goal of this performance audit,” Auditor Yost said. “With these results, the Auburn Career Center has the tools it needs to better serve students and taxpayers alike.”

More than $1.2 million in potential savings identified

More than $1.2 million in potential savings were identified in the performance audit of the Delaware City School District released today by Auditor of State Dave Yost.

Applications Available Online

...Dave Yost announced the application process is now open for the newly created Leverage for Efficiency, Accountability and Performance Fund (LEAP Fund). Interested local governments can apply online beginning today

More than $6.3 Million in Savings Recommended

Auditor of State Dave Yost announced today that Plante & Moran, PLLC will be the accounting firm to conduct the first performance audit of a state agency: the Auditor of State’s office. Plante & Moran was selected from a pool of six firms who responded to the Auditor of State’s Request for Proposal.

Potential Cost Savings from Recommendations Total More Than $2.1 Million

More than $2.1 million in potential savings were identified in a performance audit of Harrison Hills City Schools released today by Auditor of State Dave Yost.