The Core Services Review (CSR) Task Force for Mission has awarded an $82,000 contract to Acton Consulting Ltd. to examine the district's departmental spending over the next three months.
The CSR was a central platform plank of the Citizens for Responsible Municipal Government slate who swept the November election.
The district had put out a Request for Proposal in January, receiving six submissions from consulting companies.
Bruce Acton is the principal of Acton Consulting Ltd., with extensive experience in organizational reviews and process improvements, providing management consulting services to public, private and non-profit sector clients since 1993, including the cities of Kelowna, Vernon and Edmonton.
“We are very thankful to have someone with Mr. Acton’s experience leading the District of Mission’s Core Services Review and are looking forward to working with him and his team as we undertake our review,” said Mayor Ted Adlem in a statement.
Acton's fees total $82,192 with a provision to add additional external focus group meetings at $2,300 per session. The proposal also notes that additional forestry department work would cost between $5,000 and $10,000, though a basic forestry review will be included in the CSR.
The district has set aside a $100,000 budget, which means there is some wiggle room to adjust the scope of the project based on the finding of the CSR.
The terms of the consulting arrangement include strong engagement with staff and residents:
• one-on-one interviews with Council and staff; • a staff survey and the ability for the staff to contact the consultant via telephone or e-mail if so desired; • focus group meetings with external stakeholder groups; and, • citizen engagement via an open house process.
Acton Consulting's proposal and the expected timeline for the CSR can be read in the special council agenda for March 12 on the district's website.