Report due last year delayed once again
Operational needs assessment would review city operations to find cost savings and more efficient way of conducting operations
By Joel Wittnebel/The Oshawa Express
A study that could potentially save the city serious dollars, slated for completion last year, has been delayed even further.
Last year, the city planned to complete its operational needs assessment by the end of 2015 – however, the terms of reference to hire a consultant to complete the project are just now being finalized.
“We’re a little bit behind, but it will definitely be done by the end of this year,” says Ron Diskey, the city’s commissioner of community services.
The assessment would analyze almost every aspect of the city’s operations including parks, works, traffic and transportation and its facilities needs in order to possibly find a better way to do things.
“(It’s) to understand the delivery of service within the community and what’s the most efficient way to do it,” Diskey says, adding that any questions about shifting operations between different city depots, and the feasability of having city depots in the north and south ends of the city will be looked at.
“We’re going to be asking kinds of questions like that to see what’s the best way to operate our operational staff and equipment,” Diskey says.
“We’re always looking at continuous improvement.”
A budget of $75,000 has been set aside for a consultant to prepare the report.
Despite the fact the item appeared on the Community Services committee business plan last year and was shifted to this year, Diskey is not concerned.
“It’s not a concern because these are just guidelines, right?” he says.
“But there’s lot of projects happening and this is a priority and we will definitely get this completed.”