Sen. Kirt comments on LOFT report on OMES

OKLAHOMA CITY – Sen. Julia Kirt, a member of the Oversight Committee for the Legislative Office of Fiscal Transparency (LOFT), issued the following statement after the watchdog agency presented its review of the Office of Management and Enterprise Services (OMES). The agency was proposed in 2011 to streamline government functions, creating efficiencies and cost-savings by eliminating duplication of services and leveraging purchasing power. Critics warned the move would result in an additional level of bureaucracy, and would increase, not streamline, government.

“This report validates problems that have been voiced for years,” Kirt said. “Ultimately, it’s the responsibility of the majority in the Legislature to provide long-term strategic planning so that LOFT’s recommendations are enacted and provide adequate resources to ensure citizens get the services they need.”

Issues outlined in the LOFT report include:

• OMES has flawed and untimely budgeting practices.
• OMES’ billing practices lack transparency, are not customer-focused, and limit agencies’ ability to control expenses.
• COVID spending on IT has created ongoing costs to the state.
• OMES’ organizational structure is the underlying cause of its budget and service challenges.

The LOFT report also outlined recommendations for improved budgeting, accountability, billing practices, and improved information technology spending strategy. To view the executive summary, go to: https://okloft.gov/reports/omes-budget-review/executive-summary.

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For more information, contact:  Sen. Julia Kirt at 405-521-5636 or Julia.Kirt@oksenate.gov