Greg Zickau, chief technology officer for the state Department of Administration, said the department is proposing to transfer nine information technology positions to Admin from other agencies as part of an IT consolidation that would save an estimated $229,000 a year. Overall, the move would cut four state employees, positions that either could be moved elsewhere or eliminated. The transfer would be the first step toward a consolidated approach to information technology, Zickau told JFAC, targeting seven agencies identified as "low-hanging fruit." The seven agencies have 10 to 15 IT workers, Zickau said, and spend $2 million to $2.5 million a year on technology. "We looked at what it would take to assume that additional workload into our office," he said.

Consolidation moves like this one won't work unless they're supported by both the legislative and executive branches, Zickau told lawmakers. "It would require unflinching leadership from you and from others," he said. "It's going to allow us to provide better service with less cost. ... This is a small initial step, but the change to the agencies that are affected is certainly substantial."

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