OLYMPIA – The Productivity Board, a state employee incentive program of the Office of the Secretary of State, voted unanimously, Thursday, to approve recognition of three teams of Washington state employees and two individual state workers for their suggestions to reduce costs, saving over $1.09 million in taxpayer money.
In total, 20 employees across three teams submitted their cost-savings ideas through the Productivity Board’s Teamwork Incentive Program and are eligible for cash awards up to $10,000 or 25% of the savings derived from the project period, whichever is less.
One team, comprised of 11 Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife employees, submitted a suggestion to automate purchase card reconciliation. A process that averaged about 30 days to complete was transformed into a 2-3 day workflow, and manual staff handling time was reduced from 750 hours to fewer than 100. This change, implemented in November 2024, will save taxpayers more than $894,000 annually. The total award amount of $33,000 will be divided equally among the team.
A team of four employees from the Office of the Secretary of State’s Elections, IT and Internet Security Response divisions saved over $103,000 by transitioning its secure computer platform from an expensive third-party vendor to one hosted internally. The project also further standardized operational procedures, strengthened data control, and coordinated support between the divisions. The team members will share a $10,314 award.
A project from the Liquor and Cannabis Board eliminated duplication in its mail services, consolidated delivery locations, and increased security in handing mail. Each of the five team members will receive a $1,692 award.
Department of Health employee Shanna Haggerty identified her agency’s unused landlines as redundant. While cost savings continue to be measured, they are estimated to be more than $30,000, and Shanna will receive an award based on the results.
Department of Health employee Kristen Sharp suggested that counties be allowed to submit records electronically to the Secretary of State, reducing the handing of documents and creating shorter turnaround times. While cost savings continue to be measured, they are expected to be more than $20,000, and Kristen will receive an award based on the results.
The Productivity Board encourages all state employees to help save taxpayers’ money by offering up to $10,000 for a successful employee proposal to increase government efficiency. First created by the Legislature in 1982 and reinstated in 2023, the Productivity Board has saved the state millions of dollars.