09-12-2015, 02:48 PM
No 6-month update on Ion progress or future construction plans in the planning and works agenda (although there reports about GO, pedestrian access at Hayward, removal of turning lane on Westmount at Glasgow, etc.) for next week, but there is another report posted. The final report of KPMG's service review of the region. It identifies 5 "top opportunities" for council to consider in the recommendations below as well as a tonne of other "Opportunities Requiring Additional Investigation." There will be a public meeting September 30, 2015 at 7:00 pm in the Regional Council chambers for public feedback on the report.
Recommendation: That the Region of Waterloo not renew its contract for direct delivery of Employment Ontario services at the conclusion of the current contract (March 31, 2016).
Recommendation: That the Region and interested municipalities (invite all area municipalities to participate) conduct a detailed review to further explore the feasibility of a shared data centre, and a shared service desk and deskside support service as a first step to expanded collaboration.
Recommendation: Restructure the road maintenance agreement based on the following principles to reduce the cost of road maintenance operations for the citizens of Waterloo Region:
-Establish the same rate structure for all participating area municipalities.
-Make the rate a combination of a fixed amount per km and a variable amount per km.
-The variable payment should be tied to the Environment Canada reported snowfall record.
-Municipalities should be able to manage expenses and retain any savings, subject to meeting the established service level.
-The above changes can be implemented in the short term with any municipalities that agree, or introduced as part of the next contract negotiation.
-That the Region explore with the Townships the desire to merge road operations by having the Region purchase services from the Townships – or sell services to the Townships.
Recommendation: The opportunity for incremental cost optimizations and revenue increases exist. The Region should complete the master plan/business plan and present their approach to increasing revenue and managing both operational and capital expenses.
Recommendation: The Region should establish a net levy target for airport management to budget against to control operating and capital expenditures.
Recommendation: The Region of Waterloo should test the market for a range of private sector involvement to determine the level of interest from potential private sector partners to not only drive operational and strategic goals but also reduce the operational costs and impact on the property tax levy.
Recommendation: That the Region develop a detailed plan to phase out the five Regionally owned Children’s Centres over a 5 year period, using the savings to expand the number of subsidized spaces available to be delivered by other childcare providers in the community.
Recommendation: That the Home Child Care operation should continue at present, with these changes over time:
a) Home Child Care should be expanded in areas as required to support the transition plan for the Children’s Centres.
b) Encourage / facilitate the formation of a full service home child care agency in the community, serving all age groups.
Other agendas for next week:
community services
administration and finance
Recommendation: That the Region of Waterloo not renew its contract for direct delivery of Employment Ontario services at the conclusion of the current contract (March 31, 2016).
Recommendation: That the Region and interested municipalities (invite all area municipalities to participate) conduct a detailed review to further explore the feasibility of a shared data centre, and a shared service desk and deskside support service as a first step to expanded collaboration.
Recommendation: Restructure the road maintenance agreement based on the following principles to reduce the cost of road maintenance operations for the citizens of Waterloo Region:
-Establish the same rate structure for all participating area municipalities.
-Make the rate a combination of a fixed amount per km and a variable amount per km.
-The variable payment should be tied to the Environment Canada reported snowfall record.
-Municipalities should be able to manage expenses and retain any savings, subject to meeting the established service level.
-The above changes can be implemented in the short term with any municipalities that agree, or introduced as part of the next contract negotiation.
-That the Region explore with the Townships the desire to merge road operations by having the Region purchase services from the Townships – or sell services to the Townships.
Recommendation: The opportunity for incremental cost optimizations and revenue increases exist. The Region should complete the master plan/business plan and present their approach to increasing revenue and managing both operational and capital expenses.
Recommendation: The Region should establish a net levy target for airport management to budget against to control operating and capital expenditures.
Recommendation: The Region of Waterloo should test the market for a range of private sector involvement to determine the level of interest from potential private sector partners to not only drive operational and strategic goals but also reduce the operational costs and impact on the property tax levy.
Recommendation: That the Region develop a detailed plan to phase out the five Regionally owned Children’s Centres over a 5 year period, using the savings to expand the number of subsidized spaces available to be delivered by other childcare providers in the community.
Recommendation: That the Home Child Care operation should continue at present, with these changes over time:
a) Home Child Care should be expanded in areas as required to support the transition plan for the Children’s Centres.
b) Encourage / facilitate the formation of a full service home child care agency in the community, serving all age groups.
Other agendas for next week:
community services
administration and finance
Everyone move to the back of the bus and we all get home faster.