Columbus – Auditor of State Dave Yost made $23 million in recommendations for savings to the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) in a performance audit released today – including a series of improvements already well on the way to implementation by Director Jerry Wray and ODOT staff.

“Today’s audit is a grand slam for Ohioans, proof positive of the value of performance audits,” Yost said. “This is real savings, already being achieved, because of a careful look at the facts and the data.”

The audit identifies $11.6 million in savings from operating expenses, such as adopting more cost-effective mowing schedules; $10.9 million in fleet expense, particularly the sale and avoided maintenance of excess equipment; and more than $560,000 in savings from better coordination of services between ODOT districts and the central office.

“ODOT welcomes all recommendations for savings and making our organization more efficient,” said ODOT Director Jerry Wray.  “Auditor Yost and his team have been great partners and we’re continuing to examine and implement their recommendations.”

The report released today includes final results of interim reports released in 2012 and 2013 regarding fleet management, biodiesel fuel and vegetation management. Implementing all recommendations in the audit would result in a return on investment of more than $48 for every dollar spent on the audit.

“Today’s report demonstrates how Ohio taxpayers benefit from a systematic, objective review of operations,” Yost said. “This work would not have been possible without the whole-hearted cooperation of Director Wray and his staff.”

The performance audit of ODOT is the third of four state agency performance audits conducted under a 2011 law that provides that the Auditor of State shall audit at least four state agencies each biennium. 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. 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