Osoyoos Council orders review

CASTANET Sep 22, 2010 / 12:00 pm
Osoyoos Council has ordered an independent review of the Town’s structure and operations to ensure that its organization, staffing and financial arrangements are as efficient and effective as they can be. Council has voted to issue a Request for Proposals seeking submissions from consultants or companies which could conduct the operational review. The intent is to select a reviewer shortly and have the third-party review completed within three months so its recommendations can be considered by Council during preparation of the Town’s 2011 budget.

Mayor Stu Wells notes that the last evaluation of the Town’s administrative structure and functions was conducted 18 years ago. “There has been nothing done on this since 1992. It’s time for us to check and see that we are able to deliver the services that our residents need in a sustainable and effective way,” says Wells. “We want to make sure that we are doing what we’re supposed to be doing in a responsible and efficient manner.” He says that a number of other governments have conducted operational reviews in recent years and it is the prudent thing to do. “We should be formally checking every five years to ensure that we are operating in the best way we can.”

Council recognizes that the study may cost approximately $30,000 however, it views this as a prudent expenditure of funds to ensure that the right services are being provided in the most effective and efficient manner. Third-party review of municipal operations provides the most unbiased and professional assessments and recommendations to Council and the Chief Administrative Officer. In discussing the need for a review, the mayor and councillors noted the need to consider Town operations in today’s environment – with slow economic growth, increasing demands for services for residents, the downloading of service responsibilities from other levels of government, the need to replace some Osoyoos facilities, and the requirements of being an official B.C. resort municipality. Council also noted that some key Town staff will retire within the next five years therefore a succession plan is needed to ensure that the community attracts competent staff.

The reviewer will be asked to look at a number of issues, including:

Town business activities which should be considered compulsory and which are discretionary.

The best organizational structure and staffing level for the Town administration.

A staff succession plan to deal with retirements.

Financial planning strategies to achieve needed capital and operational improvements.