State employees get cash awards for helping save money

FRANKFORT, Ky. (AP) — Kentucky officials are praising the ideas of state employees who are helping save on costs and improve productivity in government offices.

A release from the governor’s office says 38 state employees submitted suggestions for improvements in the recent term, and some received cash awards.

The ideas were submitted through the Kentucky Employee Suggestion System, or KESS, and are expected to save the state nearly $350,000 next year.

The program was established in 1981 to encourage employees to practice good management and to share ideas for improving operations.

David Stone, an employee with the Justice and Public Safety Cabinet, suggested removing landline phones in the Department of Criminal Justice Training dorms, creating an annual savings of $21,000. Stone received an award of $2,100.

©2015 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.