Audit: Findlay would save $1.3M a year with job cuts, merger

10/24/2012

FINDLAY — The city could save an estimated $1.3 million a year by reducing its number of police officers and firefighters, merging its health department with Hancock County’s, and contracting with the sheriff’s office for emergency dispatch services, among other changes, a state performance audit concluded.

The performance audit, which was released Tuesday, was conducted at the request of Findlay City Council to identify ways the city could improve efficiency and effectiveness of operations in light of expected declining revenues.

State Auditor Dave Yost’s office found that Findlay could save money by bringing its staffing levels and health insurance benefits in line with similarly sized cities, including a reduction of four firefighters and three police officers. That and other recommended savings represent about 5 percent of the city’s $26 million 2012 budget. The complete report is available online at ohioauditor.gov.