Governor Fletcher Requests Review of Cell Phones to Ensure Elimination of Waste, Fraud and Abuse
Frankfort, KY: The Office of Governor Ernie Fletcher announced today an evaluation of state cell phone usage. The assessment could save thousands of dollars each year by identifying areas of waste and abuse.
“It is important that we ensure every taxpayer dollar is being used as effectively as possible,” stated Governor Fletcher. “A large number of state employees have access to cell phones, so it is only sensible to evaluate their use to make certain they are being used properly and efficiently.”
In calendar year 2003, the state spent $1.9 million on 5,283 cell phones, the equivalent of a cell phone for every one out of seven employees. Over the past six months, the Finance and Administration Cabinet has identified more than 200 phones with no usage and has identified over 570 phones with high-usage (avg. more than $50/month). To date, 144 no usage cell phones have been canceled and 16 high use phones have been canceled. In addition, the Finance and Administration Cabinet has identified more than 500 phones with average use of fewer than 20 minutes a month.
At the direction of Governor Fletcher, the Secretary of the Finance and Administration Cabinet Robbie Rudolph issued a request to each Cabinet Secretary to evaluate all cell phone usage to ensure they are being used for legitimate business purposes and also to see if they can be moved to a more cost effective plan.
The Governor also announced the implementation of new cellular phone policy. These guidelines call for the identification of job characteristics for employees to whom cellular phones have been assigned, allows for the establishment of a cell phone pool, requires each agency to maintain an accurate inventory of cellular assets and to whom they were assigned, and establishes clear guidelines for the appropriate use of state-owned cell phones. Also, the new policy requires that a monthly report be given for any personal calls made, calls for the appointment of a wireless coordinator in each agency, and directs the Finance and Administration Cabinet to conduct random reviews of cell phone usage and charges.
“By evaluating the use of low and high-usage cell phones and implementing new policy guidelines for state operated cell phones, I believe we can save thousands of dollars through proper management of this program,” said Secretary Rudolph.
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