State auditors boast of saving $17 million

CARSON CITY -- Legislative auditors are boasting they saved taxpayers $17 million over the last two years when state agencies adopted their recommendations.

Legislative Auditor Gary Crews released his biennial report Thursday saying some of the suggestions have improved programs to better serve the public.

As an example, Crews said $775,000 was saved during 1997 and 1998 when the state automated its mail operations. The state Parks Division increased fee collections by about $1.1 million through tougher enforcement and a revised user fee schedule.

He said the Division of Minerals increased its collection rate for fees due from mining operators from 50 to 100 percent. "Because these fees are used to secure safety hazards at abandoned mines, the increased collections have directly impacted the number of hazards secured for the public safety."

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