Travel costs have fluctuated over the last five years. In 2020, the state spent $4.4 million on travel, but that number dropped dramatically to $913,000 in 2021 due to the pandemic. Since then, expenses have rebounded, reaching $2.5 million in 2022 and nearly $5 million in 2023.
The top five departments leading these expenditures were the Indiana Department of Health (IDOH), Department of Child Services (DCS), Department of Revenue, Lieutenant Governor’s Office, and Indiana Department of Correction (IDOC).
Top Five State Agencies by Travel Spending
- Indiana Department of Health (IDOH):
The IDOH reported the highest travel expenses, amounting to $627,189 in FY 2024. According to spokeswoman Lisa Welch, the bulk of these expenses, approximately 57%, covered travel for registered nurses and staff conducting surveys and inspections across Indiana. These inspections, primarily funded by federal programs like Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, are vital to ensuring the safety of regulated facilities, such as nursing homes. Welch highlighted that these visits totaled more than 4,000 facility inspections in 2023. The remainder of IDOH’s travel budget was spent on professional development and building partnerships, with only 16% of expenses being covered by state funds.
- Department of Child Services (DCS):
The DCS spent $375,463 on travel during FY 2024, placing it second in terms of expenditures. Spokesman Brian Heinemann explained that 68% of these expenses were for field staff and case managers who traveled to support child welfare cases. The remaining 32% funded professional development and conference attendance for non-field staff. Heinemann noted that 36% of the department’s travel was paid for using federal funding.
- Indiana Department of Revenue:
Though not specified in detail, the Department of Revenue was one of the top five agencies in terms of travel spending. Most of the department’s expenses were likely linked to conferences, professional development, and in-state travel.
- Lieutenant Governor’s Office:
The Lieutenant Governor’s Office reported travel expenses of $325,243 in FY 2024. However, spokesperson Ron Green clarified that this figure was inflated due to a reporting error involving international travel expenses. For example, two trips to India by the Indiana State Department of Agriculture (ISDA) were recorded as costing 198,240 rupees but were mistakenly reported as $198,240 instead of the correct conversion of $2,424. After corrections, the office’s actual travel expenditure was $129,435. The office’s travel included trade missions, professional conferences, and other official visits, funded through a mix of state, federal, and private grants.
- Indiana Department of Correction (IDOC):
The IDOC reported $312,986 in travel costs. According to spokesman Gregory Dunn, most in-state travel was funded by state dollars, while out-of-state travel was covered by federal grants. The department’s travel expenses were tied to the logistics of moving staff between 21 correctional facilities, attending conferences, and extraditing individuals to other states.
Discrepancies and Data Concerns
While most of the travel expenses were verified, some discrepancies arose in the reported figures, particularly in the Lieutenant Governor’s Office. The inaccuracies stemmed from international travel expenses that were not correctly converted from foreign currency. The Indiana Transparency Portal initially reported higher expenses due to these errors, but corrections were made following an internal review. The portal displayed $325,243 in travel expenses, but the actual figure, after adjustments, was $129,435.
Federal vs. State Funding
A significant portion of the state’s travel expenditures was funded by federal grants. For example, the IDOH used federal dollars for a majority of its travel costs, particularly those tied to healthcare inspections. Similarly, the IDOC’s out-of-state travel, such as staff training and extradition-related expenses, was primarily funded by federal grants. This division between state and federal funding highlights the reliance on federal programs to support the extensive travel requirements of some agencies.
Conclusion: A Look Ahead
Indiana’s state agencies continue to rely heavily on travel to carry out their essential functions. The $5 million spent on travel during FY 2024 represents a slight increase from the previous year, reflecting the state’s return to normal operations post-pandemic. Despite minor discrepancies, the data from the Indiana Transparency Portal provides a comprehensive look at how state funds are allocated for travel, with the majority of expenditures supporting vital services such as healthcare inspections, child welfare, and corrections.
As Indiana continues to modernize its operations, transparency in travel spending and more accurate reporting will remain key to ensuring that state funds are used efficiently.
Tags: Department of Child Services, Department of Health, Indiana state
