The trouble with any governmental body is if they can prove that they can function on less money than they're getting, then they'll be given a lower budget for the next year.  Not a politician on the planet that wants that, so they'll always talk about saving money while making sure they spend of much as possible to make sure they can keep doing the same next year.

My brother (a very capable economist) once interviewed for the local council and said he could probably save them a few hundred grand a year in operating costs.  They were horrified and he didn't get the job...