City services will be going under a microscope in search of efficiencies during the months ahead, funded in part through a recently received $650,000 provincial grant.
“We are grateful that the Province of Ontario has provided a significant allotment of funding to support this important work,” said deputy CAO Trevor Lee in a news release. “As one of Ontario’s fastest-growing cities, the availability of these funds will enable us to evaluate our service levels and delivery models against municipal benchmarks and our strategic plan, and ensure we are well-positioned to meet our community’s complex and evolving needs for many years to come.”
Council endorsed a service rationalization review during 2021 budget deliberations in December, allocating $300,000 for it and directing staff to seek additional funding through the province’s 2021 Audit and Accountability program, which ultimately approved the city’s application.
Friday’s news release also announced the hiring of third-party consultants KPMG Canada to conduct the review, following a negotiated request for proposal process that garnered nine submissions.
“This service rationalization review will provide valuable insights to ensure we are delivering innovative, cost-effective services to our residents, and will enable council and city staff to make informed strategic decisions in support of our shared vision for a future ready Guelph,” said Lee. “We are pleased to work alongside KPMG as they conduct an in-depth analysis into our program and service delivery models in a transparent and inclusive process that will incorporate considerations related to equity, emerging trends, and municipal best practices.”
Review findings and recommendations to city council are expected this July.
