State workers to relocate, save $2M annually - Cleveland 19 News Cleveland, OH

A statewide plan to consolidate 13 offices is expected to minimize vacant office space and save the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services $2 million annually, without impacting services to individuals or businesses.

The consolidation work will begin this spring and finish by the end of the year.

The following offices will be consolidated: 

-Bowling Green – A staff of 31 will move to a new Toledo location.

-Bridgeport – Staff will move to Reno.

-Canton – Staff will move to Akron or Youngstown.

-Dayton – Staff will combine with staff from Fort Loramie and Springdale at a new location.

-Fort Loramie – Staff will combine with staff from Dayton and Springdale at a new location.

-Ironton – Staff will move to Chillicothe.

-Mansfield – Staff will move to Lorain or the Air Center location in Columbus.

-Maumee – A staff of 87 will move to a new Toledo location.

-Richmond Heights – Staff will move to Cleveland.

-Springdale – Staff will combine with staff from Fort Loramie and Dayton at a new location.

-The Plains – Staff will move to the Air Center and Lazarus locations in Columbus.

-Tiffin – A staff of 35 will move to a new location in Toledo or Lima.

-Columbus (Toronado) – Staff will move to the Integrity Drive location in Columbus. In addition, the agency is studying consolidation options for other Columbus offices.

Ben Johnson with the ODJFS says all the workers coming to Toledo, which is more than 120, will end up in Government Center on Jackson Street at a building known as the State Office Building. 

"I realize that moving to a new location will present challenges for some employees," said ODJFS Director Michael Colbert. "However, we owe it to those we serve to operate as efficiently as possible. This plan preserves jobs, prioritizes people over buildings and maintains the agency's statewide presence."

All of the agency's leases are up for renewal at the end of the biennium, which makes it an ideal time to implement the changes and save in rental costs for office space. The savings protect the jobs of the workers involved.

None of the affected offices provide in-person services to constituents or businesses so customers will experience no change in service.

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