Osoyoos reviewing operations

Penticton Western September 28, 2010 6:00 PM
 Osoyoos is following in the footsteps of other local governments in conducting a review of the town’s structure and operations.  Council voted to issue a request for proposals from consultants or companies that can conduct the operational review. The town hopes to have the third-party review completed within three months, so recommendations can be considered by council during preparation of the 2011 budget. “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. We want to make sure that we are doing what we’re supposed to be doing in a responsible and efficient manner,” said Mayor Stu Wells.  Mayor and council noted during their discussions about the need for a review that there are several items to consider in the town’s operations in today’s environment — 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.

It is expected some key town staff will retire within the next five years and a succession plan is needed to ensure that the community attracts competent staff. The last evaluation of the town’s administrative structure and functions was conducted 18 years ago. This study will cost approximately $30,000, but council wanted the review of municipal operations from a third-party to provide the most unbiased and professional assessments and recommendations to council and the chief administrative officer. Wells said they should be formally checking every five years to ensure they are operating the best way the town can.
The third-party reviewer will be asked to look at a number of issues including the best organizational structure and staffing level for the town administration, a staff succession plan to deal with retirements and financial planning strategies to achieve needed capital and operational improvements.