Iowa taxpayers are reaping the rewards of a more than 55% increase in participation in Iowa Auditor of State Rob Sand’s Public Innovations and Efficiencies (PIE) program in just its second year. The increase includes entries from 84 counties, 310 cities, and first-time submissions from 121 school districts.
“I’m thrilled government entities in every Iowa county used this opportunity to save taxpayers money,” said Sand. “Ultimately, the PIE program has the potential to unlock hundreds of millions of dollars in savings for communities across our state.”
Auditor Sand created the PIE program in 2019 to spark innovative ideas to cut waste and save tax dollars. The PIE program also provides local leaders with tools to collaborate and share their cost-cutting concepts, known as PIE recipes, via the Auditor of State website. The submissions range from installing solar panels to shutting down computers when not in use.
Three government entities are participating in the 2021 PIE program in Wright County. These include Belmond-Klemme School District, Rowan, and Dows.
Theresa Greenfield, Belmond-Klemme’s Business Manager said, “BK is new to the PIE program. Our hope is that the program will help us identify areas where we can be more efficient. Greater efficiencies would reduce our impact on the environment and save on operational costs.”
The PIE program has proven so successful, it is being replicated by Mississippi Auditor of State, Shad White who said his office was “inspired” by Auditor Sand’s PIE program.
Auditor Sand will announce the winners of the 2021 PIE awards at a later date and recognize their money-saving achievements by hand-delivering a pie to community leaders.
For more information on the PIE program, contact Drew Stensland at drew.stensland@aos.iowa.gov. Please direct media inquiries to sonya.heitshusen@aos.iowa.gov.
