(Des Moines, Iowa) – State Auditor Rob Sand today (Thursday) announced improvements in average efficiency scores in the three categories of government entities participating in the 2022 Public Innovations and Efficiencies (PIE) program.

“No matter how you cut it, Iowa’s taxpayers are getting a bigger piece of the pie,” said Sand. “The savings are baked into the innovative, cost-cutting measures being implemented by every participating city, county, and school district.”

Auditor Sand created the PIE program in 2019 to encourage government entities to uncover ways to save money. Their ideas include innovative heating and cooling systems that reduce energy costs, to 28-E agreements that eliminate redundancy. Sand says the program is so effective, it has been replicated by Mississippi State Auditor Shad White, a Republican.

A total of 488 Iowa entities participated in the PIE program in 2022, and once again, the Auditor’s Office received submissions from all of Iowa’s 99 counties. The graph below illustrates the increase in the average efficiency scores for cities, counties, and school districts. The average efficiency score is based on the number of efficiency measures adopted.

Auditor Sand will announce the PIE program winners later this year and hand-deliver a pie to each winning entity.