Municipal Operational Reviews completed through the Ontario Audit and Accountability Fund

What is an Operational Review?

An operational review is an assessment performed by an objective, independent 3rd party (often the municipalities’ auditor) that highlights observations and opportunities for modernization, operational efficiencies and organizational effectiveness based upon research, stakeholder consultation, organization design exercises and a comparison of the City to other municipalities. It is not an audit.

In May 2019, the Provincial government established the Audit and Accountability Fund for large urban municipalities and district school boards in order to find efficiencies, save taxpayer dollars and focus spending on community programs and services.

Municipalities’ operational reviews

• Ottawa Committee of Adjustment – Organizational Review
• Toronto Committee of Adjustment Review
• Kitchener has a page on their website with the full reports, receiving $686,000 in funding:
  • review of fleet downtime
  • review of city facility energy usage  
  • review of the development review process
  • review of the aggregates management process
  • review of fire and police communications and dispatch in Waterloo Region
  • review of service modernization for the Kitchener Market
• York Region has a page on their website with the full reports, receiving $654,000: 
  • Court Services Modernization Opportunities
  • Development Application Tracking Tool (YorkTrax) Modernization Opportunities
  • Organizational Efficiencies and Performance Accountability Review 
• Markham
  • Streamlining Planning Approvals Through a Community Planning Permit System
  • Bylaw Enforcement Service Delivery Review
• Sault Ste. Marie
  • Service Review
  • Waste Management Collection Options Study
  • Winter Control – Budget and Operational Approach
• City of Niagara Falls
• Brantford’s Service Review
• Shuniah
• Powassan
• Peterborough County
• Brock
• Perth
• Clarington
• Tecumseh
• Timmins
• St. Marys
• Middlesex Centre
• Lakeshore
• Clarington
• Township of Bonnechere Valley Operational Review
• County of Hastings
  • Development Services Review