Date:  Thursday, February 26, 2009

Contact: Melanie Coon, WSDOT Communications 360-705-7078

OLYMPIA - Much like the movie “Slumdog Millionaire” at the Academy Awards, WSDOT swept this year’s Innovations in State Government Awards, earning honors in almost every category, including "Agency of the Year" and two "Top Money Saving" awards.

The Innovations in State Government Awards is an annual event at the State Capitol Rotunda and is sponsored by the State Productivity Board within the Secretary of State’s office. The program recognizes state employees for their creative ideas and suggestions to save money, generate revenue, or improve services for Washington’s citizens. This is the second consecutive year that WSDOT has earned Agency of the Year.

"All the hard work you do is demonstrated day in and day out and the people of Washington State are fortunate to have you working for them," said State Auditor Brian Sonntag, who emceed the awards event.

“The Productivity Board puts real money back into the pockets of taxpayers by relying on something far more valuable than spending money to save money, it relies on brainpower,” said Secretary of State Sam Reed. “The Productivity Board has proven results with almost 25,000 ideas and process improvements that to date have saved taxpayers over $57 million dollars in first year savings alone,“ he said.

2008 was a strong year with 531 suggestions saving more than $2.3 million. The majority of that savings can be attributed to the creativity of WSDOT employees, whose ideas saved more than $2.1 million for 2008.

“Secretary of State Sam Reed met with our executive staff to encourage us to support this program and we have made this an agency priority over the last 18 months”, commented WSDOT Chief of Staff Steve Reinmuth. “Since then, WSDOT has knocked their socks off with great ideas that really save money,” he said.

WSDOT earned two Top Money Saving Suggestion awards. Cheryl Dempsey from WSDOT’s Goldendale office, suggested that WSDOT use envelopes that the U.S. Postal Service will allow to be sent first class instead of priority mail for a savings of $95,000.

Equipment and Facilities Fleet Administrator Greg Hansen, was recognized for his suggestion to install a light in large trucks to indicate optimum timing to shift gears. The Equipment and Facilities program anticipates this fuel-saving suggestion will net $1.8 million in cost savings the first year.

The Innovative Team Award was given to the Bridge Preservation Office Dive Team for proposing that WSDOT bridge inspection engineers become certified divers for underwater structure inspections. In the past, these unique and complex bridge inspections were performed by outside consultants at a cost of hundreds of thousands of dollars each year. Special Structures Engineer David Bruce saw the benefits of starting a WSDOT underwater inspection program to reduce costs and improve reporting.

This unique five-person team has replaced consultants on 98 percent of the underwater inspections of Washington’s public structures, for a net savings of $196,596 in the first year.

Robert Evans, a Maintenance Mechanic in Seattle received an Energy Conservation Award for his suggestion to install infrared sensors at the machine shop so the heaters shut off when the doors are open. His idea was adopted by Maintenance and Operations. Robert’s idea is expected to net $831 in savings the first year.

Maintenance Technicians Bob Hynek and Rick Mason received the Safety Award for their suggestion to fabricate truck entrances from metal plates, providing a stable surface for mud and dirt to drop off trucks before leaving a construction site, reducing debris on the road.

Lynn Hicks, WSDOT’s Employee Suggestion Program Coordinator was named Coordinator of the Year for her efforts in administering evaluation of incoming suggestions and making sure every employee is aware of the program.

James Shaw, Steve Strauss and Greg Hansen were also recognized as Outstanding Agency Evaluators for the Employee Suggestion Program.

The Productivity Board's Employee Suggestion Program provides cash incentives and recognition for individual and team ideas. Learn more about the State Productivity Board’s Employee Suggestion Program.

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