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Blind River council to consider cost-saving KPMG report recommendations

Recommendations include reductions in number city council members and town committees, and reconsideration of community-funded festivals
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Blind River council held a special meeting last week to look at a services delivery review presented by chartered accountancy firm KPMG. The firm was hired to undertake a wide-ranging report on how services are delivered by the town in a bid to cut costs and improve efficiencies.

“The purpose of the review was to evaluate the services of the town with the intention of identifying potential opportunities for efficiencies and contributing to long-term sustainability,” senior manager Chas Anselmo said from the KPMG Sudbury office. “As noted in our report, the results of our review have identified opportunities that could be considered by the town.”

The report looked at the town’s operation structure and service levels.

Among some of the options that will be considered by council were:
    •    the restructuring of operations which could result in a $25,000 savings to the town through information technology
    •    reconsideration of financial support to community groups with a potential savings of $50,000 to $75,000
    •    a reduction in the number of town associated committees
    •    reduction of council members from its current level of seven down to five, potentially saving $20,000
    •    hiring of an economic development officer to work or replace the current Blind River Economic Development committee (BRED)
    •    looking at how user fees are decided
    •    reconsideration of community festivals funded by the town with a potential savings of between $50,000 and $75,000
    •    looking at full cost recovery for building services which could result in revenue generation of $50,000 to $75,000

“Some of the recommendations from the report are going to mean cost savings and some are just going to be efficiency savings,” town CAO Kathryn Scott told council.

Scott pointed out that the town continues to be understaffed as indicated in the report, and decisions will have to be made regarding municipally-owned buildings. Concerns from staff about the buildings have been pointed out over the past several years.

“With regards to our facilities, we’ve brought this forward, staff has brought this forward, that we’re going to start having issues with our buildings and that day is upon us,” Scott added. “What we have to look at is how we move forward strategically and proactively in the future.”

Some of the solutions could lie in streamlining the way bills are paid and how payroll reporting is handled.

Following the discussion, council agreed that any issues brought up would have to include public input before council makes any final decision on the report’s options.

The full report can be found on the town website.



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About the Author: Kris Svela

Kris Svela has worked in community newspapers for the past 36 years covering politics, human interest, courts, municipal councils, and the wide range of other topics of community interest
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