Osoyoos undertakes service review

Penticton Western News December 02, 2010
 Osoyoos will undergo a three-month review of the town’s structure and operations.  Council awarded the contract to Helios Group, the same management consulting firm that provided the core services review for the City of Penticton that has resulted in a number changes including reduced staffing levels. “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,” said Osoyoos Mayor Stu Wells. He notes that a number of other governments have conducted operational reviews in recent years, saying it is prudent for local councils to have such studies done every few years to ensure that they are operating local services effectively and efficiently. “Independent reviews carried out by reputable management consulting firms like Helios provide unbiased professional assessments and recommendations — and we look forward to the results of this process,” added Wells.

Osoyoos chief administrative officer Barry Romanko said the review will look at a number of issues including which town business activities 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, and financial planning strategies to achieve needed capital and operational improvements.  The review will begins this month and will include interviews with councillors and town staff as well as a review of local services and comparisons with the structure and operations of a number of similar municipalities.  The project is scheduled to be completed by Feb. 15, 2011 which will allow council to consider its recommendations during preparation of the town’s 2011-12 budget. It will be the first time in 18 years that a third-party study of the municipality’s structure and operations has been conducted.