KPMG Releases Comprehensive Draft Report

A 50 page draft report looking at the 300-plus services Dryden provides has been released to staff and council.
25-opportunities identified in the KPMG operations and services report were released Wednesday at a public meeting, while 15 were presented at a closed door session following the meeting.
Mayor Craig Nuttall says there’s some great ideas to cut costs, but notes he’s not fond of some of the suggestions.
Nuttall says he’s not open to consolidating debt over a long period of time as it will burden future councils.
Sid Wintle also voiced opposition to consolidate the City’s debt.
KPMG stated that the city will be required to pay $4.5-million in debt in 2014 and 2015 and by consolidating the debt the City will save roughly $2.6-million.
Other suggestions include; implementing non-resident user fees for the rec centre, reducing the snow removal budget, pursuing solar opportunities, moving the provincial offences office to City Hall, turning the Barclay Landfill to a transfer facility, creating a standardized payment system for child care services and transferring Aaron Park to the provincial Government.
The consulting firm adds the City is owed around $200,000 in Ontario Municipal Partnership Fund revenue.
KPMG identified $5.6-million in reductions in the report but admitted reaching that target is unrealistic.
The firm found $2.65-million in operating efficiencies and $200,000 in service level reductions.
KPMG adds the Dryden Development Corporation has found $40,000 in savings.
The group stressed that they pushed City staff to the limit and they responded.
Labour and staffing opportunities were discussed during the closed meeting.
Mayor Nuttall says he was pleased with the turnout last night and it shows that citizens are just as concerned as council is about the challenges facing the community.
The Dryden Development Corporation, Dryden Library and the Dryden Police Service weren’t involved in the review as they are run by a separate Board of Directors.