Report says municipalities pay rates for employees ahead of province

The Prince George Citizen:Sept 15, 2014:
VICTORIA - The Canadian Taxpayers' Federation says a report commissioned by the British Columbia government takes aim at unlimited and unregulated wage policies within municipal governments and the heavy burdens they place on taxpayers. The Ernst and Young report compiled as part of the province's core review program concludes salaries for municipal employees increased by 38 per cent from 2001 to 2012 while government and public-sector salaries rose between 19 per cent and 24 per cent during the same period. The report, obtained by the taxpayers' federation, concludes taxpayers who shoulder such increases could get some relief if municipalities held the line on salary hikes to its unionized and management employees. "Compared to the provincial level of government, local government compensation is not co-ordinated (or regulated); there are no limits other than what local governments determine the sector can bear and there are less transparency requirements," said the report, called BC Public Sector Compensation Review. "This has resulted in a lack of alignment in compensation between levels and also across the sector." Taxpayers' federation spokesman Jordan Bateman said the provincial government has been holding its public-sector workers to tight wage settlements, noting it is currently engaged in difficult negotiations with striking teachers, while municipalities are under no restrictions. "The B.C. government has done the best job of any provincial government across the country at managing their labour costs in the last five or six years. Municipalities did not follow suit," Bateman said. He said the report finds Vancouver pays the highest salaries to strategic leadership managers of any government or Crown corporation in B.C., even higher than the University of B.C. and BC Hydro. The report concludes municipalities are overpaying the provincial government for technical expertise, Bateman said, adding it also says municipalities have a higher percentage of employees making $75,000 a year or more than in the provincial government.The report recommends a more co-ordinated approach across all governments when it comes to salary structures.(more)   
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BC Public Sector Compensation Review

District revamps departments

by Staff Writer - Vernon Morning Star posted Jun 15, 2014 at 1:00 AM
Further reorganizing is underway at the District of Lake Country. The community and customer services department has been replaced by the infrastructure services department, which will be responsible for all maintenance and operations in the municipality, including parks and buildings. “The new department will also oversee long-term infrastructure planning and the district’s five-year capital budget,” said Alberto De Feo, chief administrative officer. “As a result of the change, the director of community and customer services position was eliminated.”  The engineering department will shift focus as well by concentrating on engineering support to development applications and garbage, recycling, public transportation and regional matters. “Because of the continuing trend which shows that building permits are still down, one building inspector position was eliminated,” said De Feo. The reorganization will save about $230,000 a year to fund the Transportation for Tomorrow program, which is part of the district’s infrastructure management strategy. This is the third round of restructuring within the municipality. “The business systems review will make the local government services more efficient and less onerous to the taxpayers,” said De Feo.

Summerland cuts seven employees

TUESDAY, 14 JANUARY 2014 02:00 JAMES MILLER The Kelowna Daily Courier
The District of Summerland is now operating with seven fewer employees after council unanimously supported a reduction in staff. The downsizing, expected to save up to half-a-million dollars, was officially announced to the public at a committee of the whole meeting Monday morning. The affected employees learned their fate late last week. Among the reduction in services will be the immediate layoff of three CUPE staff - the public works secretary, engineering technician and a water supply technician. As well, one electrical employee, a groundman truck driver, is being laid off. One of the three laid-off CUPE members was able to move to another department due to attrition. Three vacant management positions are not being filled - the deputy fire chief, director of parks and recreation, and superintendent of works and utilities. With the seven job losses comes two newly-created positions ó a GIS/database technician and a manager of financial services. Mayor Janice Perrino said council's decision wasn't easy. "When you lay people off, you ruin their lives for months to come and you hurt people deeply," she said. "The reality check is that we have to do this to get our finances in order." Perrino said the vote of council was made in-camera and was unanimous. In a 25-minute preamble to council, chief administrative officer Tom Day noted the need for an infrastructure upgrade and the municipality's declining ability to fund it. He pointed to rising core costs without corresponding revenue increases, which directly resulted in a decrease in funds for capital operations. Day said inflation in the Okanagan is at one per cent, but the costs of energy, raw materials such as asphalt and gravel and skilled labour are all rising well above inflation. He said the district's surplus fund is low and although borrowing is an option, it creates a series of new problems. In an interview, Day and Perrino acknowledged the 2011 Helios Report, an independent study on municipal spending, gave Summerland favourable reviews on its level of staffing. "There will be some hiccups," Day said. "There will be impacts on the service levels offered, but they're impacts we can live with. I think the structure can work. This is good for the taxpayer of Summerland." Day said the savings from reduced staffing in 2015 will amount to $500,000 and slightly less in 2014. Coun. Marty Van Alphen noted, "Last week was not a good week here in Summerland. The employees who are being let go were all excellent people." Coun. Bruce Hallquist noted the restructuring was "long overdue" stating he believed Summerland began going downhill financially in 1996. Hallquist's thoughts were echoed by other councillors. "This council realized we had to make some substantial changes," Coun. Peter Waterman said. "Although it's a difficult pictures our CAO paints for us, it is a realistic one. I was very pleased with the way our CAO has grappled with the situation. He's made some very difficult decisions and changes." Darren Krell, president of CUPE Local 1136 in Summerland, declined to comment.

Public Sector Salary Disclosure for 2012: Municipalities and Services (ONTARIO)

Disclosure for 2012 under the Public Sector Salary Disclosure Act, 1996 Municipalities and Services

This category includes Ontario Municipalities and organizations providing municipal services, specifically: municipal police, libraries and transit systems. Other municipal organizations are included under the category "Other Public Sector Employers".
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http://www.theglobeandmail.com/commentary/a-nation-of-100000-firefighters/article13647608/

Tax Fed: Taxpayers should be priority

by Wayne Moore - Kelowna - CASTANET Aug 1, 2013 / 5:00 am
The BC Director of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation says it's time municipalities and unions worked together to lessen the impact on taxpayers.  Jordon Bateman, says because of union contracts, municipalities are paying much more for certain positions compared to those in the private sector.  Bateman cited several examples including a lifeguard posting from the City of Kelowna.  "In Kelowna, the city was offering new lifeguards $20.95 plus 14 per cent in lieu of benefits, a total of $23.88 per hour says Bateman.  "The same lifeguard job at the Kelowna YMCA-YWCA pays $14.50 per hour. Kelowna taxpayers are overpaying the Y by 65 per cent."  Bateman says examples are repeated over and over again in city halls across the province.  He cited examples from other municipalities including Burnaby (bartender position) and Richmond (arena concession worker).  "There is hope but it takes political will."  That will says Bateman proved successful in Penticton after they completed a core services review in 2010.  He says that review revealed, among other things, the city was overpaying lifeguards and park maintenance staff.  "City lifeguards made $22.80 per hour while private lifeguards made $14.50. Parks staff also made $22.80 per hour compared to $14 in the private sector."  Bateman says the when the city's CUPE contract came up for e-negotiation, Penticton managed to negotiate down the starting rate for these positions, and jail guards, by nearly $5 per hour.  He called it a big step forward.  Bateman says other people need to look at the Penticton example.  "Don't be afraid to get tough in negotiating with current workers. Current workers to protect their own benefits have shown time and again that they are more than willing to throw future employees under the bus," says Bateman.  "There is an opportunity to start whittling down the pay but you have to do it at the front end, you can't expect to do it at the back end."  He says municipalities need to start the dialogue with the union and the public now, not when bargaining begins.  "No one wants labour disruptions and no one wants bloody battles between municipal halls and unions but frank conversations about tax levels and the fact it's pretty expensive to employ people," says Bateman.  He says those conversations need to take place regularly.

Crime Severity Index values 2009-2011 Selected Cities B.C.

 Kelowna tops in Canada for crime
by Wayne Moore - Kelowna - Story: 95604 Jul 25, 2013 / 8:55 am
It was probably not the introduction that Kelowna’s new officer in charge, Inspector Nick Romanchuk, wanted to make when he met with the media for the first time: our city is tops in Canada for crime. In the new report issued today by Stats Canada, Kelowna’s crime rate jumped six per cent and is now the highest in Canada (based on cities with a population of at least 100,000). The only two cities that come close are Regina and Saskatoon, both of which saw their rates drop by 10 per cent over the past year.

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Don Quixote Note: The 2012 Crime Severity Index values for 2012 have just been announced.  When posted to Statscan Website this post will be updated. The Cities chosen were the last 6 which were the cities from the Core Services Review and 3 others of interest.(Note that the Kelowna reference in story above is a comparison of Cities over 100,000 in population. Tables below are a comparison of all municipalities over 10,000 in population. This explains the ranking difference. Most important is the trend over a 3 year or more period.
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http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/85-002-x/2012001/article/11692/tbl/csivalue-igcvaleurs-2011-eng.htm

http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/85-002-x/2011001/article/11523/tbl/csivalue-igcvaleurs-2010-eng.htm

http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/85-002-x/2010002/article/11292/tbl/csivalue-igcvaleurs-eng.htm

Vernon Commits To No New Net Staff

Written by Peter McIntyre Tuesday, 25 June 2013 06:00
Efforts are being made to control staff costs at Vernon City Hall, although the figures for this year are in dispute. Administrator Will Pearce says the plan is for no new net staff positions for the next three years, until 2015. Mayor Rob Sawatzky says it's already made a difference. "The commitment that's been made a number of times in writing and verbally has been no new net positions, and in fact, we are, I believe at 13 positions less than we were a year ago," says Sawatzky.  Sawatzky says the word 'net' is important because positions that are needed can still be created, provided another one is eliminated. Councillor Bob Spiers says the math doesn't add up to him, as he believes at least one staff position has been added this year. "It's just a matter of how they finance it." Spiers says changing which department pays for a staff member isn't getting rid of the position. However, he likes the staff direction. "That's probably one of the best benefits to come out of the core report that pretty well freezes staff levels."

City decision threatens funding at O'Keefe Ranch

By Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star Updated: June 10, 2013 11:44 AM
City cuts aren’t the only financial squeeze facing a historic site. O’Keefe Ranch says other agencies are reconsidering  funding after Vernon council decided to reduce its annual commitment starting in 2016. “If a partner in the community is pulling out, they are looking at their participation,” said Glen Taylor, general manager. A Heritage Legacy Fund grant for restoration of St. Anne’s Church was recently denied. “They said no because the city is backing its funding down,” said Taylor. “It’s funding we were depending on.” Council voted recently to continue with a $150,000 annual grant for the  city-owned property. But in 2016, that will drop to $100,000, followed by $50,000 in 2017 and $10,000 in 2018. Coun. Mary-Jo O’Keefe is concerned the city’s actions are having a snowball effect on funding. “Some of the broader impacts of our decision aren’t known,” she said. “Because of our decision that we will cease funding, those (outside) agencies are questioning their funding.” Council has instructed staff to determine the extent of the impact on the ranch’s budget if other organizations restrict grant levels. Opposition to a staff report came from Councillors Bob Spiers and Brian Quiring. “That information should come from O’Keefe Ranch. It’s not the city’s place to generate another report,” said Quiring, who questions suggestions that agencies are basing funding on what the city does. “I’d like to see evident that this is the case. It (2016) is along ways off.” A similar view is also coming from Spiers. “I don’t know how that affects a grant being done now,” he said. Taylor insists the ranch is working on plans to attract more visitors and enhance the bottom line. “We have three years to show we can increase activity and we will show the city the ranch is providing an important service,” he said of preserving the region’s heritage and bolstering the economy.

Ice days numbered at Vernon Civic Arena

By Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star Published: May 19, 2013 1:00 AMTTime is running out on the clock for Vernon’s Civic Arena. City council has instructed staff topursue plans to decommission the 75-year-old ice sheet by either twinning Wesbild Centre or Priest Valley Arena. “Civic is going to fail and needs replacement so it’s thoughtful and logical for us to consider how to do that,” said Mayor Rob Sawatzky. The earliest there could be a new facility, given a referendum and construction, is 2016. State-of-the-art in 1938, Civic Arena’s best days are long behind it. “The facility does not have sufficient snow loading capability in the roof,” said Doug Ross, the city’s recreation services manager. “The (engineer’s) report also noted ongoing issues with the heaving of the concrete slab and the increase in vertical cracks in the exterior walls.” Because the slab has heaved at least six inches in some places, there is also the potential for the brine cooling pipes to break. While a core services review by KPMG didn’t recommend replacing Civic, Ross doesn’t  believe that is feasible given that Civic has 1,600 hours of ice use during the winter and existing Vernon arenas could only handle 60 per cent of that through dramatic rescheduling (teams playing hockey at 2 a.m.). “Armstrong and Lumby do not have the ability to accommodate those people (the remaining 40 per cent),” he said. The goal would be to construct a new 400-seat facility. Ideally, it would be at Wesbild Centre, but because of an ongoing legal dispute at Kin Race Track, land may not be available. The Regional District of North Okanagan has budgeted for a study to determine if Priest Valley Arena can be twinned. Depending on the site, a new arena could cost between $5 and $10 million. “Using the current revenue generated by Civic Arena and estimated operational costs for a new energy efficient facility attached to an existing arena, the facility could operate at break even and essentially eliminate the existing $160,000 deficit to operate Civic,” said Ross. “Additionally, the facility would become more attractive for the hosting of tournaments and large dry floor events.” Sawatzky says the city is working with Coldstream and the electoral areas on arena needs. “They share in the usage, the planning and the costs,” he said.

Lake Discharge Decision Not Imminent

Written by Peter McIntyre Friday, 17 May 2013 15:18 
While Vernon council has acted on dozens of recommendations from the core service review, others will take longer. Mayor Rob Sawatzky says a suggestion to replace spray irrigation with discharges into the lake -- which could save one million dollars a year in pumping and other costs -- is still under discussion. "Spray irrigation is the subject of an ongoing large review process. That's the liquid waste management, so we need to let that process come to its conclusion and then we'll have our discussions and a decision on that," Sawatzky tells Kiss FM. Meantime, Vernon is still trying to get a better deal when it comes to the cost for office staff at the Vernon RCMP detachment. Mayor Sawatzky says the city feels it's paying more than its fair share, compared to their regional partners. "There's going to be a review of that because it appears at present, Vernon financially supports a ratio that is burdensome and  not the usual." Seeking a better deal on the municipal employees is one of the cost-cutting suggestions made in the core review done for the city. The spending and service study by KPMG made 113 recommendations for council to consider.
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Administration Analysis Core Services Review - Org and Staff 
  Administration Analysis Core Services Review

Changes at city hall won't include mass layoffs

Charlotte Helston  Info-Tel Multimedia May 17, 2013 - 3:05 PM

Vernon city council voted to make a few staffing adjustments this week, and some councillors aren't sure it was the right time or the right move to make. The decision came after a review by KPMG on the city's core services. Out of 113 recommendations, a handful dealt with changes to staffing. The report found the city was appropriately staffed in terms of bodies, but noted the planning department was rather light in comparison to other communities. At a meeting Thursday, council passed a motion directing administration to undertake a reorganization of the community development division,  including the creation of an economic development planner and a long range sustainability manager. These positions are to be funded by the elimination of the environmental planner position, the reshuffling of staff time, and some reallocation of the 2014 budget. "They're creating two positions, eliminating one, and taking funds from other parts of the budget," Coun. Bob Spiers says. "I have my doubts this will be sustainable down the road." He says council doesn't even know what the job  descriptions or salaries will look like for the two new positions, and feels it would have been better not to approve them now. "The idea of adding positions should take time," he says. "I couldn't agree with it now. If it was that important, it should have been discussed during our 2013 budget process." Spiers voted against the motion, as did Coun. Catherine Lord and Coun. Patrick Nicol. The motion passed with the votes of the remaining four councillors. Unlike some of the other recommendations, the changes in staffing are not aimed at reducing expenditures, but rather at improving service and efficiency. "They say it won't cost the public any more money," Spiers says. Spiers suspects the position switches will occur in 2013. Meanwhile, council also approved a motion to relocate the community policing office from its 29 Avenue location to a city-owned site to save rent. One staff position may also be cut in this department. To contact the reporter for this story, email CHarlotte Helston at chelston@infotelnews.ca or call (250)309-5230.

Changes made at City of Vernon, but no net cuts

By Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star Published: May 17, 2013 1:00 AM
A Vernon politician is accusing his colleagues of shuffling the deck chairs instead of making a serious effort to reduce staffing. It was revealed Thursday that, as part of a core services review, restructuring is occurring within two departments. Some positions will disappear but others will be created,  meaning no net change to the number of personnel. “I don’t agree with this reorganization,” said Coun. Bob Spiers. “It’s just moving positions around instead of creating a new dynamic.” Restructuring of community development will include the creation of an economic development planner and a manager of long-range planning and sustainability. They will be funded through the elimination of the environmental planner position, the transfer of 0.5 time of the transportation demand management co-ordinator to engineering, reallocation of the 0.35 building inspector funding from a 2014 carry-forward and reallocation of a portion of the economic development project and planning budget. Council will also consider the creation of a parks planner during the 2014 budget process. Beyond Spiers, the new community development structure was also opposed by Councillors Catherine Lord and Patrick Nicol. In the safe communities unit, there will be a reduction of possibly one staff position. The unit will be refocused on the core services of a community policing office by providing educational and safety programs. All council members supported changes within the safe communities unit. Mayor Rob Sawatzky supports the direction the city has taken overall with spending. “The organization has already reduced staff over the past year and we will continue with that effort,” he said. Coun. Juliette Cunningham says staffing decisions were based on the core services report produced by  KPMG. “The report says we’re not overstaffed compared to other jurisdictions and we’re understaffed in planning,” she said. There has been some anxiety among city employees since the core services review was initiated last year. Some were concerned that there could be widespread layoffs. However, that hasn’t occurred and CUPE president Ken Juniper believes most workers will accept the process. “We were never fat to start with and the KPMG report satisfied council,” he said. KPMG had recommended combining operations and engineering into one department but that has been rejected. Current staffing levels in the human resources department will also be maintained.
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Administration Analysis Core Services Review

Time limit for O'Keefe Ranch funding

By Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star Published: May 17, 2013 1:00 AM O’Keefe Ranch is being warned that taxpayer funding is on a short leash. As part of the core services review, a majority of council voted Thursday to continue with a $150,000 annual grant for the  city-owned historic site. But in 2016, that will drop to $100,000, followed by $50,000 in 2017 and $10,000 in 2018. “This thing needs a critical path,” said Coun. Brian Quiring. There is a hope that by establishing a timeline, other options for revenue generation will materialize. “It  may be an impetus for other partners to support the ranch when they realize this (city funding levels) isn’t a forever thing,” said Coun. Juliette Cunningham referring to agencies like the regional district. City administration had recommended curtailing the grant schedule in 2014, with $10,000 being the end-point in 2016. Staff says $10,000 was selected because it’s outlined in a contract between the city and the O’Keefe Ranch Society. However, Coun. Catherine Lord, a former ranch manager, disagrees  with that interpretation. “The $10,000 contract is for capital only and not operations,” she said. Opposition to reducing the grant starting in 2016 came from Mayor Rob Sawatzky and Councillors Bob Spiers and Patrick Nicol. Sawatzky believes reductions in the taxpayer subsidy should have begun in 2014. “This has been going on for more than 18 years,” he said of financial challenges at the ranch. “It has to be rationalized in some other ways.”
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Don Quixote Note: The original motion to accept  a 3 year phased reduction in the grant starting in 2014 was defeated (Lord, Okeefe, Cunninham & Quirling opposed). The 'compromise' position to start this phasing in 2016 was then put on the table and passed with Sawatzky, Nicol & Spiers opposed.

City Gives O'Keefe Ranch More Time

Written by Peter McIntyre  107.5 KISSFM Thursday, 16 May 2013 17:25

The city of Vernon will give the Historic O'Keefe Ranch more time before cutting back on the heritage site's funding.  City council is looking to reduce costs due to the core service review and one recommendation is to phase-out the ranch's $150,000 annual subsidy over a three year period, eventually down to $10,000 which is the amount the city originally committed to provide. Mayor Rob Sawatzky supported reducing the amount as early as next year. "The O'Keefe Ranch has had more than enough years (to become self-sufficient), 18 years, and I don't think we should continue pouring money into it. We have to make hard decisions, and if we send money there, we're taking it from other services." However, the majority of council decided to start reducing the grant in 2016, giving the city-owned heritage attraction three years to become more self sufficient. Councillor Catherine Lord --a former manager at the ranch -- argued against a quick end to the funding, calling the ranch an asset that should be promoted more by the city. "Once we lose it, we will not be able to get it back," she said. Councillor Brian Quiring led the motion to give the ranch more time. He says the city-owned site is an asset that does a lot for local schools, and it's too soon to give up on it. "It's an asset that we have, and we need to keep putting money into it. We need to give them five years." Councillor Bob Spiers supports the site, but says "funding it should not rest with municipal taxpayers." The motion passed by a 4-3 vote.

Council Considers Cost Cutting Moves

Written by Peter McIntyre 107.5 KISSFM Thursday, 16 May 2013 17:35
 The city of Vernon is looking at more cost cutting as a result of the core services review by KPMG. Council has approved relocating the community policing office on 33rd Ave, to a city-owned site to save rent fees, and to restructure the Safe Communities/Community Policing department to possibly cut one staff position. Mayor Rob Sawatzky says they're also looking at reducing bylaw staffing for non-peak times. "Bylaws is high profile and it's not likely to ever disappear from the radar, and we will review it periodically" says Sawatzky. Council has approved a reorganization of the Community Development division, creating two new positions and eliminating the environmental planner position. The elected reps have rejected KPMG's suggestion to combine the operations and engineering departments, which administration says would be "unnecessary and expensive." Council will also review new staff positions added the last few years, with a proposed gradual decline in staffing through 2015.

Vernon looks to reduce financial commitment for O'Keefe Ranch

By Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star Updated: May 16, 2013 2:29 PM
There will ultimately be fewer tax dollars going to O'Keefe Ranch. A majority of Vernon council voted Thursday to continue with a $150,000 annual grant for the  city-owned historic site. But in 2016, that will drop to $100,000, followed by $50,000 in 2015 and $10,000 in 2016. “This thing needs a critical path,” said Coun. Brian Quiring of trying to deal with the ongoing public subsidy for operations. There is a hope that by establishing a timeline, other options for revenue generation will materialize. The decision was based on the city's core services review, which is looking for efficiencies and cost reductions. Look for more details in Friday's Morning Star.

BEYOND THE HEADLINES: Decisions, decisions

By Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star Published: May 15, 2013 1:00 AM It doesn’t appear that Vernon city hall will be plastered in pink slips.  Council started making decisions about the core services review Monday, and among them were recommendations from consultant KPMG about staffing. Those discussions were held behind closed doors but we can get a sense of the possible direction based on an analysis from Will Pearce, chief administrative officer. “According to the KPMG findings and specific recommendations, the corporation appears to be appropriately staffed when compared to like municipalities and in consideration of expected service levels,” Pearce writes. It is also a view upheld by Mayor Rob Sawatzky. “There are no large abnormalities that have to be dealt with in staffing,” he said. Now this runs against the opinion of some residents who consider city hall to be bloated and bureaucratic. In his analysis, Pearce, who was hired in 2012,  does acknowledge, “there was a significant (hiring) growth period, 2007-2009 inclusive. This tapered off through 2010-12 and will show a decline in 2013.” City figures indicate there were 244 full-time equivalent employees in 2007, with that jumping to 269 in 2008, 297 in 2009, 310 in 2010, 317 in 2011 and 321 in 2012. Approved positions for 2013 are 303. Some of the payroll hike can be attributed to the pre-recession boom the community was experiencing. With development taking off, there was a need for planners and engineers. Also, the city took over some previously regional responsibilities like economic development, tourism and operation of the arenas. Other positions were created based on community wants. As an example, the official community plan process identified public interest in promoting alternate forms of transportation as a way of easing traffic congestion and improving the environment. That led to a transportation demand management co-ordinator being hired. In another case, concerns about crime led to more bylaw enforcement officers and support staff at the RCMP to help with records. Now it should be pointed out that Pearce didn’t wait for the KPMG report to start paring  back. A senior management position (safe communities) has been eliminated, one water services management position is gone and six water staff were transferred to the regional district. There may be fewer parks workers as the city no longer looks after Coldstream parks under contract. Numbers are numbers and yes it looks like there are a lot of bodies at city hall. But consider that Vernon has a population of 38,150 and all of those residents have wants and needs — whether it is road sweeping, lifeguards at the Peanut Pool, zamboni drivers at the arenas or ensuring sewer lines don’t back up. I should also note that after two decades of hanging around city hall, I have discovered that there are a lot of individuals who are not only good at their jobs but are committed to their community. Ultimately, there are adjustments that can be made to staffing levels, and we may find out some of those as early as Thursday when council discusses the core review again. However, anyone in the public who was expecting a repeat of Penticton, where a core review led to widespread layoffs, will be extremely disappointed. That said, those residents, along with anyone else who lives in Vernon, plays a role in labour costs by placing demands on the municipality. No one likes paying taxes, but what services are you willing to give up?

Review Finds $1.8 M In Efficiencies

Written by Peter McIntyre  107.5 KISSFM Monday, 13 May 2013 06:04 
  A review of spending and services at the city of Vernon has already paid off with a more efficient operation according to the city's chief administrative officer. Will Pearce writes in a report to council, the core service review by KPMG last year, has already led to 1.8 million dollars in reduced costs or increased revenue to the city. The study cost 80-thousand dollars. Pearce says of the 113 opportunities suggested by the firm, 28 have been done including moves like increasing parking and other fees, and reducing the number of RCMP officers from 50 to 48. He adds 36 other measures are underway, and 16 others could  proceed including marketing fire dispatch service and replacing the Civic Arena. It doesn't look like the review will lead to many staff changes. KMPG says the corporation "appears to be appropriately staffed" when compared to similar municipalities.

Group Opposes Lake Discharge

Written by Peter McIntyre Thursday, 02 May 2013 06:00 

Vernon's water reclamation plant

  A member of the group Save Our Lakes is concerned about talk to use the outfall pipe to discharge Vernon's reclaimed water into Okanagan Lake. Switching from spray irrigation to the pipe is one of the cost cutting ideas city council got in a core service and spending review by KPMG. Long time pipe opponent Allan Hill says Greater Vernon's plan to separate local water supplies, will reduce the need to discharge  treated waste water, so the pipe won't be needed. "I can't see the point because if we go to split irrigation water for agricultural purposes, and the normal treated water for the normal house-holder, then it's pointless," he tells Kiss FM. Hill also says a 2008 court ruling states the pipe can be only be used for emergencies. "It's got to meet a hundred conditions before it can (be used), and it has to have permission from the Ministry of the Environment in order to do anything," says Hill, a former regional district director for Okanagan Landing. Reading from the Supreme Court ruling, Hill says it limits use of the pipe to "unforeseen circumstances beyond the city's control that prevent the city from pumping treated reclaimed water from the reclamation centre to McKay reservoir." Those conditions could include power outages, pump failures, or levels at the McKay reservoir reaching 1,939 feet. The outfall pipe, which was installed in the late 1980's, was used once in 1996 due to a wet summer limiting the spray program, and high levels at the reservoir. Hill says in addition to Save Our Lakes, the Sierra Club of Canada is following this issue. He says using the pipe is a health risk. "After listening to what happened to Kelowna when it had 15,000 cases of sporidium because their outfall was in shabby order, we don't want any stupid things like that to happen here."

Blast from the Past

  Courtesy of the Coldstreamer

With the renewed interest of lake disposal of treated waste-water, it is timely to take a glance back into the past. The possible disposal did not bode well for the Mayor of the time running for re-election.