So you are saying this actually COST the government, not saved the tax payers big bucks?
The government IS that stupid, yep. They operate on the 'saved or created' and 'cutting 2% in a 15% rate of growth' is a serious budget cut. So yes, I'm sure a serious financial auditor would find it probably cost taxpayers far more than it should have and certainly didn't save money.
The government, especially this administration, operates a budget like my wife. If she sees a purse that normally costs $900 and she gets it for $500, she will swear up and down she earned us $400 because she 'could' have spent $900.