Strain: LDAF is more efficient
Agriculture and Forestry Commissioner Mike Strain, D.V.M., said the reduction of the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry’s operating expenses over the last three years is largely because of his decision to end the departments involvement in construction program.
The LSAF is no longer in the construction business, Strain said. Building construction was a drain on the departments financial resources and not an efficient allocation of LDAF manpower.
In addition, the implementation of an aggressive safety program cut our risk management cost by 22%.
Strain said he reduced the debt load of the LDAF and the Louisiana Agriculture Finance Authority (LAFA) from $97.7 million to $62.8 million, a decrease of nearly to 36%.
Policy changes within the LDAF reduced the overall workforce by more than 300 employees (35 %), reduced the motor fleet by 410 vehicles, eliminated unnecessary home storage of vehicles and reduced fuel consumption by 42%, Strain said. The aviation fleet was also reduced by 30%.
ANNUAL FUEL USAGE
Year Quantity Cost Average Average Cost per Gallon
FY ’07 1,039,528.17 $2,357,884.94 $2.27
FY ’08 1,042,427.15 $3,007,791.14 $2.89
FY ‘09 886,269.98 $2,243,516.16 $2.53
FY ‘10 661,176.16 $1,601,003.47 $2.42
FY ‘11 603,265.38 $1,754,130.23 $2.91
The LDAF will continue to look for greater cost efficiencies and implement them as needed, Strain said. At the same time, we are concentrating on continuing to provides a high level of service to the agricultural and forestry industries in the state.
Source: Department of Agriculture and Forestry