Brian Ness
The Idaho Legislature’s budget committee grilled the state’s new transportation chief on how he aims to make his department more efficient.
Brian Ness, who’s been heading the 1,800-employee Idaho Transportation Department for only about a month, made his first appearance in front of the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee on Thursday.
Budget writers want Ness to save money by using his own staff on projects, instead of outside consultants. The agency has come under fire for spending more than $70,000 over the summer on groundbreaking events, most of it with a consultant.
Ness’s proposed 2011 budget is $503 million, down from about $538 million during the current fiscal year that ends in June. (AP)
