(Des Moines, IA) – State Auditor Rob Sand racked up the miles on his truck last week by delivering Public Innovations and Efficiencies (PIE) awards to eight government entities across Western Iowa. In a news release, Sand said “Congratulations to this year’s PIE winners, and a big thanks to all the participants. You’ve shown that saving taxpayers money can be sweet.  “Recognizing community leaders for their efforts with a pie is just the cherry on top. Taxpayers are the real winners.”

Sand launched the nationally recognized PIE program in 2019.  It is designed to help Iowa communities slash waste and save tax dollars by sharing creative, common-sense ideas to improve efficiency.  Approximately 500 counties, cities, and school districts across the state submit annual entries referred to as “PIE Recipes.”

Here is a list of area PIE award winners, followed by a sample of their cost-cutting measures and choice of pie.

• City of Bridgewater
  • Fifty percent of electronic items are unplugged overnight
    

    Bridgewater

  • Online access to meeting agendas, minutes, and budget information
  • Utilizes cisterns to save and store water
  • Cherry pie from Aunt Jenny’s Kitchen in Greenfield
• Adams County
  • Implemented cybersecurity protocols
  • Electronic payroll system
  • Utilizes natural light to save energy
  • Apple pie from Aunt Jenny’s Kitchen in Greenfield
• Diagonal Community School District
  • Removed personal appliances
  • Official policy encourages video conferencing to save travel costs
  • Created a community planning team
  • Apple pie from Aunt Jenny’s Kitchen in Greenfield
• Essex Community School District
  • Designated team responsible for energy management
  • Utilizes 28E Agreements
  • Using a composting system
  • Apple pie from Aunt Jenny’s Kitchen in Greenfield
• Mount Ayr Community School District
  • Participates in local utilities’ rebate and energy efficiency programs
  • Reduced lawn size to cut water bill
  • Coordinated emergency dispatch services
    

    Adams County

  • Pecan pie from Country Ayr Cottage Bakery in Mount Ayr
• City of Beaconsfield
  • Centralized printing to reduce the number of printers
  • Lights turned off in unoccupied rooms
  • Utilizes 28E Agreements
  • French Silk pie from Country Ayr Cottage Bakery in Mount Ayr

Fun PIE Facts and FAQs:

• When possible, pies are purchased from local bakeries.
• Auditor Sand pays for the pies.
• The most requested pie is apple.
• The least requested pie is sour cream raisin.

Essex