Columbus – 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.

“Jefferson Township is starting to see a wave of economic growth – and that means much greater demand for services,” Auditor Yost said. “Our recommendations will help keep the township’s foundation fiscally strong against the tide.”

The township requested the performance audit in anticipation of expected increases in future operating budgets resulting from development and population growth. Additionally, the township recently completed collective bargaining renegotiations. The performance audit reviewed the township’s operation structure and administration, in addition to fire and EMS, parks, services and roads, and the zoning and building departments.

Auditors identified potential savings of $560,300 per year if the township:

• Discontinues the retirement pickup fringe benefit ($223,700);

• Eliminates three full-time firefighter positions ($216,700);

• Eliminates one full-time administrative position ($104,500);

• Institutes a schedule adjustment for firefighters to reduce overtime ($8,300); and

• Implements cost-sharing methodology for employee health insurance deductibles ($7,100).

The performance audit also recommends the township use third-party collection services to recover EMS fees, explore partnerships for parks maintenance and improvement, develop a land use plan for parks facilities and develop a performance measurement system for the zoning department.

Following the performance audit, the township’s board of trustees agreed to reduce the retirement pickup fringe benefit over three years for fire department staff and over five years for other township staff. The township estimates cumulative savings of $54,000 by 2017 for fire department staff, and $40,000 by 2019 for other township staff.

This audit was funded by the Auditor of State’s Leverage for Efficiency, Accountability and Performance (LEAP) Fund. A full copy of this performance audit 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 5,800 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.