Treasurer Chellis' good first step

New State Treasurer Converse Chellis took the impressive step this week of actually returning money — some $100,000 — to the state's general fund without being asked. Further, he's pledged to permanently reduce his operating budget by that amount.

There may well be greater savings to be had in that office, as there is in much of state government. The Chellis initiative says we can expect him to stay on the lookout for greater efficiencies. The former House member from Dorchester County, a certified public accountant, was chosen by the Legislature this summer to replace Thomas Ravenel after he resigned. Mr. Ravenel since has pleaded guilty to a drug charge.

A spokesman for the treasurer's office tells us that Mr. Chellis' $100,000 refund is coming mainly from the reduction of paperwork and the merger of some positions based on anticipated employee attrition. That figure amounts to about 3.5 percent of the more than $2.8 million the office receives from the general operating budget.

Another $2.8 million for the office operation comes from other revenue sources, including investments and unclaimed property revenue. While the total budget is some $11 million, the remainder goes to such programs as student loans.

"We must do what we can to hold the line on spending," Mr. Chellis said in a statement. "Cutting waste and making our government more effective and efficient will be a priority of mine."

As a member of the state's Budget and Control Board, Mr. Chellis has the ability to bring about far greater savings for the state by reforms of that massive agency. A 71-page report issued in July by the Government Efficiency and Accountability Review (GEAR) committee outlined the potential for savings in that agency, which has more than 1,000 employees, at some $497 million over a three-year period. Further, the report concluded that of the board's $1.1 billion surplus, some $146 million could be used for the state's most critical needs. The Budget and Control Board staff currently is reviewing the GEAR recommendations.

Mr. Chellis is considered the swing vote on the board for the reform measures being advocated by the governor, who serves as chairman of the five-member board. We would like to think the treasurer's $100,000 voluntary savings in his own office is a good omen.