Mission council has approved 14 of 21 recommendations from the core services review released in July.
Council deferred all six forestry-related items, and wants to investigate alternative options to make forestry operations more efficient and effective.
The elected group also nixed the recommendation to eliminate council committee chairs.
According to the report, committee chairs detract from good discussion at council meetings and eliminating them would shift more accountability to the chief administrative officer.
Most councillors disagreed.
"I've yet to be shown this council is having difficulty having good discussions in meetings," said Coun. Dave Hensman. "When council members have portfolios, they are looking at things more carefully."
"From a political point of view, I like that we're doing and want to continue it," said Mayor Ted Adlem.
Coun. Nelson Tilbury was the only one to support the recommendation, reasoning councillors could have tunnel vision when they are focused on certain portfolios.
Approved recommendations:
• Continue sound financial management. Staff recommend the district's key financial indicators be benchmarked against comparative organizations yearly to ensure the district remains on track financially; and that the district develop a prioritized list of potential, shovel-ready grant projects for council's consideration and that a list of available grant programs be maintained.
• Reviews should be conducted for select processes. Staff recommend that administration schedule, initiate and complete, in conjunction with other departments, these process reviews over the next year, with the results forwarded to council.
• Create two business units to support IT infrastructure. Staff will look into the feasibility of providing separate and dedicated IT support for the RCMP.
• Rotate IT staff to enhance after-hours support. Staff will report back as to the best way to implement enhanced after-hours IT support at the district.
• Council should commit to supporting a pre-defined number of improvement projects annually.
• Contractors/partners should be held accountable for major capital projects. It is recommended that a project management policy and procedure be implemented soon and that a formal training program be initiated for staff.
• Improve accountability by establishing a performance management framework. It is recommended that staff follow through with developing more robust and meaningful individual and departmental performance measures as per council's objective of introducing a performance management and reporting system.
• Re-organize department and staff resources to better support the organization. Staff will report back to council within one year as to the operational impact of the organizational restructuring.
• Develop a comprehensive communication strategy, and create a communication position.
• Establish a succession plan.
• Expand governance policies to direct council. Staff will bring forward a formal council/administration protocol policy that differentiates and clarifies the roles and responsibilities of council and administration at the district.
• Create a partnership strategy.
• Explore one-window service delivery.
The full report can be found at mission.ca.