City in for independent third-party operational review?

A motion will be voted on at Tuesday's regular meeting of council requesting an independent third-party operational review of the City of North Bay.

The purpose of the review is to "examine the organizational structure, personnel and resources required in the delivery of services and projects in all departments and benchmark key performance indicators against other like organizations," according to the motion brought forward by Councillor Jamie Lowery and seconded by Deputy Mayor Maggie Horsfield.

"It is my personal belief," Lowery tells BayToday, that "the review is central to the city’s future — to be known as the most transparent and efficient municipality will be its own prosperity calling card for economic development — and more importantly quality community building." 

If approved, the chief administrative officer will be directed to prepare a request for proposal for a "comprehensive third-party independent operational review of
the City of North Bay. The review is to investigate overall organization effectiveness to ensure value for the taxpayer."

Further direction to the CAO, upon approval, would freeze hiring for new positions and where possible gap vacated positions until the completion of the 2023
budget. 

Horsfield says she supports the "motion for a third-party operational review because they are necessary to ensure that operations are increasing in their performance. An operational review will help guide the City to better understand how we can be more efficient, strengthen the City's operations and innovate the City's practices by identifying areas of strength and improvement."

The review will also include a historical review of both union and non-union staffing levels (Union and Non-Union) and will also "investigate communications, both internally and externally, as well as policies and plans for public engagement."

"Just because we’ve always done things a certain way, doesn’t mean it’s right; times change, so should our approach," was one of the mantras of Mayor Peter Chirico's election campaign as he ran on a promise to examine the municipality's affairs.

"An objective, third-party review of all City departments, all City services and all City assets will be undertaken within the first 12 months of my becoming mayor. Changes will be made, consolidation and modernization will be undertaken, and innovation will be the driving force. We will restructure City Hall from the top down with a priority on customer service and better service delivery."

Council meets Tuesday for its regular meeting, immediately following the 6:30 p.m. committee meeting. The meetings are available via live stream and YouTube.