Auditor White: Consolidating Mississippi boards could save taxpayers millions
JACKSON, Miss. – A new report from the Mississippi Office of the State Auditor suggests that consolidating back-office functions for the state’s numerous small boards and commissions could significantly reduce government waste and free up taxpayer funds.
State Auditor Shad White released the findings after his team reviewed the operations of 19 small- and medium-sized state boards. The analysis revealed that while some agencies are operating effectively, many are plagued by administrative inefficiencies, disparate spending on private vendors, and outdated manual processes.
Real-World Consequences for Workers
The report highlights how administrative gridlock directly impacts Mississippians trying to enter the workforce. A prime example cited is the Board of Cosmetology and Barbering. Because the State Senate adjourned this year without approving Governor Tate Reeves’s nominees to the board, qualified professionals have been unable to obtain licenses to work.
Furthermore, the lack of an active board has left consumer complaints regarding unsafe practices unaddressed. With 14 of the reviewed boards responsible for professional licensing, White emphasized that inefficiency acts as a barrier to employment.
“When licensing boards don’t operate efficiently, Mississippians looking to work suffer the consequences,” the report stated.
Disparities in Spending
The audit uncovered wild fluctuations in what different boards pay for identical administrative services.
Analysts noted that the Mississippi Commission on Judicial Performance—which is nearly four times larger than the Board of Professional Licensed Counselors—actually spent 50% less on accounting services than the smaller board.
White argues that these disparities prove the need for centralization. The report recommends moving administrative functions, such as accounting and processing, into a single office within the Department of Finance and Administration (DFA).
Modernizing to Cut “The Fat”
Beyond consolidation, the Auditor’s office outlined specific modernization strategies to save money:
- Digitization: Moving away from paper correspondence to reduce spending on stamps, envelopes, and printing.
- Artificial Intelligence: Implementing AI platforms to help clear significant backlogs of unresolved complaints against licensees.
“Every time I see waste, I think about the teachers’ salaries, cops’ salaries, or tax cuts we could have if we cut the fat,” White said. “We found small boards and commissions often operate inefficient back-office functions which should be consolidated to save taxpayer money.”
