Governor Schweitzer Announces More than $6 Million in Savings from Cancelled Building Projects

Governor Brian Schweitzer today announced more than $6 million in savings from cancelled building projects across the state.

“Just like Montana families have to make tough decisions about finances in these times, so does state government,” said Governor Brian Schweitzer. “We will continue to be accountable for every dollar.”

The cancelled projects include:

* Expansion of Food Services at the State Prison – Renovation of the food service to switch over to single-serving system with food chillers instead of preparing food in bulk at the State Prison has been eliminated. Savings: $1,191,402

* Youth Transition Center in Great Falls – Construction of a new 19-bed home for the existing Youth Transition Center. Currently they are in a month-to-month lease in a Great Falls home. Savings: $1,250,000

* Wolf Point Office of Public Assistance – Purchase of land and construction of an office building in Wolf Point for the Office of Public Assistance. DPHHS will resume a lease in the Wolf Point area. Savings: $2,234,220

* Statewide Facilities Planning – This planning appropriation would be distributed throughout the state on projects for the agricultural stations, state- owned buildings, Veterans’ homes, and University buildings. Savings: $400,000

* Infrastructure Repairs to the State Capitol building – Maintenance and repairs to the Capitol per the 2007 condition assessment will not be attended to at this time. The copper dome and skylight repairs were on the list. Savings: $500,000

* Auto Tech Center Planning Design – This appropriation allowed for MSU-Northern to plan and design for new construction of an auto tech building. Savings: $610,000

These projects were funded either by House Bill 5 in the 61st legislative session or by House Bill 4 in the 60th legislative session. These budgeted items will be eliminated in the Governor’s proposed Budget to the 2011 legislature.

In addition to announcing on-going cost saving measures Governor Schweitzer is encouraging citizens to submit their cost savings ideas to the Montana Accountability Partnership at http://www.governor.mt.gov

State savings already announced by Governor Schweitzer:

* $18 million cancelling the new unemployment insurance (UI) contribution computer system.

* $4.5 million cancelling renovations of the unused Receiving Hospital Building on the Montana State Hospital Campus.

* $2 million in savings by state government by agreeing to suspend some wildfire-related equipment purchases and fuels reduction projects in 2010.

* $600,000 not bailing out Swank Enterprises clean up liabilities.

* $380,000 over the biennium with the elimination of the RDO positions in Commerce.

* $350,000 reducing out-of-state travel by 35 percent.

* $131,000 in savings from Department of Revenue printing less tax booklets.

* $119,000 in estimated savings by DNRC using video conferencing equipment instead of travel.

* $20,000 in estimated saving by not printing a state directory. Employees and the public will be able to use the directory online at mt.gov.