TO THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF OTTAWA
28 MARS 2007
The POLICE SERVICES BOARD met on 26 FEBRUARY 2007 and submits the items
contained in this Report for the information and/or approval of Council at its
meeting of 28
MARCH 2007.
La COMMISSION
DE SERVICES POLICIERS s’est réuni le 26
FÉVRIER 2007 et soumet les articles du présent rapport au Conseil
pour information et/ou approbation lors de sa réunion du 28 MARS 2007.
Present
/ Présences:
26
Feb. 07
Chair / président: H. Jensen
Vice Chair /
vice-président: M. McRae
Members / Membres: D. Doran
D.
Guilmet-Harris
B. Monette
D. Morin
L. O’Brien
INDEX |
|||
NO./NO |
ITEM |
PAGE |
ARTICLE |
|
Police Services Board |
|
Commission de Services
Policiers |
1. |
AUDITOR GENERAL'S FOLLOW-UP REPORT ON THE GOVERNANCE
AUDIT OF THE OTTAWA POLICE SERVICES BOARD ACS2007-CCS-PSB-0003 |
01 |
RAPPORT DE SUIVI
DU VÉRIFICATEUR GÉNÉRAL SUR LA VÉRIFICATION DE GOUVERNANCE DE LA COMMISSION DE SERVICES POLICIERS D'OTTAWA |
2. |
AUDITOR GENERAL'S FOLLOW-UP REPORT ON THE AUDIT OF
THE OTTAWA POLICE SERVICE BUDGET DEVELOPMENT PROCESSES ACS2007-CCS-PSB-0004 |
20 |
RAPPORT DE SUIVI DU
VÉRIFICATEUR GÉNÉRAL SUR LA VÉRIFICATION DES PROCESSUS D’ÉLABORATION DU BUDGET DU SERVICE
DE POLICE D’OTTAWA |
1. AUDITOR
GENERAL'S FOLLOW-UP REPORT ON THE GOVERNANCE AUDIT OF THE OTTAWA POLICE
SERVICES BOARD RAPPORT DE SUIVI DU VÉRIFICATEUR GÉNÉRAL SUR LA VÉRIFICATION DE
GOUVERNANCE DE LA COMMISSION DE SERVICES POLICIERS D'OTTAWA |
BOARD RECOMMENDATION
That Council receive this report for
information.
RECOMMANDATION DE LA COMMISSION
Que le Conseil prenne connaissance du présent rapport à titre d’information
DOCUMENTATION
1.
City Auditor General’s report dated February 2007.
2. Extract of Draft Minute, 26 February 2007 is
attached.
|
Office of the Auditor General Follow-Up Audit: Governance
Audit of the Ottawa Police Services Board February 2007 |
BACKGROUND...................................................................................................................... 4
2006 FOLLOW-UP
AUDIT..................................................................................................... 4
REPORT
ORGANIZATION..................................................................................................... 4
SECTION
1: General Observations........................................................................................... 4
SECTION
2: Summary of Audit Criteria.................................................................................... 6
Table 1 –
summary of Audit Results by Criterion......................................................................... 7
SECTION
3: Assessment of Implementation............................................................................. 10
On
February 28, 2005, the Ottawa Police Services Board (the Board) formally
requested that the Auditor General complete an audit of the governance
structure and practices of the Board. The objective of
the audit was to examine the current governance structures and practices to
ensure that the Board is equipped to provide effective direction, support, and
oversight to the Ottawa Police Service (OPS).
The
current governance structures and practices were assessed against best
practices, not against the practices of other Police Services Boards.
The audit was conducted within the context of the Ontario Police
Services Act, which sets out the role and authority of the Police Services
Boards.
On December 19, 2005, the Board received the Auditor General’s final
report on the
Governance Audit of the Ottawa Police Services Board.
The
Office of the Auditor General has now completed a follow-up on the 2005
audit. The objective of the follow-up
audit was to assess the adequacy of the actions taken to implement the audit
recommendations.
The
report is organized into three sections described below. The general observations for each of the
areas reviewed are as follows:
Section
1 – General Observations: The Auditor General’s overall assessment of
the follow up action taken by the Board to implement the Audit Report
recommendations
Section
2 – Summary of Audit Criteria: A summary of the audit criteria used to assess the
governance structure and practices of the Board.
Section
3 – Assessment of Implementation Plan: The Auditor General’s comments on the
follow up action and status of each audit report recommendation.
Overall,
the Office of the Auditor General is very pleased with the Board’s response to
the Governance Audit and the actions that have been taken to implement the
recommendations outlined in the report.
Following
the presentation of the Governance Audit Report to the Board in December 2005,
a detailed implementation plan was developed and presented at the January 2006
Ottawa Police Services Board Meeting.
The plan included a detailed Board response to each of the audit
recommendations along with a timeline for implementation.
Under
the leadership of the Chair of the Board, who was newly appointed during the
Governance Audit, the Board has been committed to building and sustaining a
framework of good governance. The
Board’s Executive Director has also been instrumental in the development and
execution of the implementation plan.
The
Board has accomplished a lot over the last year and has made significant
progress in implementing the audit report recommendations. Some of the key accomplishments we noted
during the follow up audit include:
·
Re-establishment
of the Board’s Committee’s
– The follow up audit has identified that a detailed terms of reference for
each of the Board’s four standing committees has been developed and included in
the Board Policy Manual. The committees
have been much more active and meeting regularly to address the audit report
recommendations. In early 2007, a
formal workplan will be developed for each of the committees that will detail
the annual meeting schedule, committee goals, and performance objectives.
·
Development
of the Audit Policy
– The Board approved the new Audit Policy on 27 March 2006 and incorporated it
into the Board Policy Manual. As well,
OPS Senior Management has provided regular updates to the Board on the status
of the internal audit function.
·
More
strategic agenda items
– the Board approved a report on 25 September 2006 that included
recommendations to enhance the strategic focus and efficiency of Board
meetings. A review of the Board Agendas
for 2006 shows that an effort has been made to include more strategic agenda
items such as on-time quarterly financial reports, status reports on the
Business Plan, performance measurement framework and workplan, update on the
long range financial plan and budget process, and quarterly performance
reporting.
·
Aggressive
oversight of agenda items
– The Board implemented a tracking process to ensure that agenda items are
being included on the agenda in the originally established timeframe.
·
Increased
focus on the Business Plan
–The Board received a report on 24 April 2006 that outlined the role of the
Board and the Policy Committee in the development of the Business Plan. The Chair of the Board also indicated that
the Board as a whole has revisited the current Business Plan in detail and has
made an effort to maintain a focus on the Business Plan while making
decisions. The Chair also expressed
interest in implementing an annual one-day “Board retreat” as an opportunity
for the Board to review the Business Plan, revisit priorities, and set the
overall agenda for the Board.
·
Higher
attendance at training and conferences – The Board has developed training
requirements for Board members and attendance at training and conferences has
increased over the last year (which will be reported on in the 2007 Annual
Board Activity and Performance Report).
·
Revision
of the Board Policy Manual
– The Board is conducting a comprehensive review of the Board Policy Manual,
which includes a review of the Annual Board Planning Cycle to determine if
changes are required. The revised Board
Policy Manual will be finalized in early 2007.
The
Chair of the Board recognizes that communicating to the public and making the
work that is done at the Committee level transparent will be a challenge going
forward. With the Committees now being
more active, many of the issues are debated and discussed at the Committee
level before reaching Board. As a result,
certain issues may appear to receive little attention by the Board when in fact
much of the work, discussion, and consideration of the issues is now occurring
at the Committee level. The 2007 Annual
Board Activity and Performance Report will be an opportunity for the Board to
publicly communicate the time and effort dedicated by Board members and the
Executive Director over the past year in addressing and implementing the audit
report recommendations. Some additional
suggestions for the Board to consider in addressing this communications
challenge include:
·
Providing
a list of all the Board Committees on the Board’s website along with each
Committee’s terms of reference and workplan;
·
In
addition to the Annual Board Activity and Performance Report, present a
mid-year report outlining the Board’s time and effort; and,
·
Bring
Committee reports forward to the Board with a recommendation for action, much
like Committee reports brought before Council.
The one recommendation that has not been
addressed is recommendation 10.1 recommending “that the Board review the July
2005 Audit of the Budget Development Process at the OPS and ensure timely
implementation of the recommendations”.
The general management response from the OPS for this audit indicated
that the recommendations would be addressed in 2006. At the June 2006 Board meeting, a report titled “Update on Budget
Development Process Audit” was presented to Board indicating action would now
be taken on the recommendations in 2007.
The minutes from the meeting show that the Board received the report
with very little discussion or questioning of staff as to why the
recommendations have not been implemented as planned.
In
the Governance Audit of the Ottawa Police Services Board, the Auditor General
used criteria to assess the current governance structures and practices against
best practices, and not against the practices of other Police Services
Boards.
The
table below presents each of the audit criteria used to assess the governance
structure and practices of the Board in the 2005 audit and the results of each
criteria in the 2006 follow up audit.
AUDIT CRITERIA |
2005
AUDIT RESULTS |
2006
FOLLOW UP AUDIT RESULTS |
1.
Are the
responsibilities, roles, and duties of Board Members clearly defined and understood,
including: |
||
·
Have individual
Board member duties and responsibilities been clearly defined? |
Achieved |
Achieved |
·
Do members of
the Board fully understand their responsibilities as specified in the Act? |
Not Achieved |
Achieved |
·
Has the Board
established clear policies and procedures to guide it in carrying out its
role? |
Not Achieved |
Achieved |
·
Is there a
transparent and clear structure of responsibility that differentiates between
what the Board can do and what managers and employees can do? |
Achieved |
Achieved |
·
Does the Board
and the sub-committees have clearly defined terms of reference? |
Not Achieved |
Achieved |
·
Does the Board
have appropriate communications with Council? |
Achieved |
Achieved |
·
Does the Board
exercise a sufficiently independent voice that is not unduly influenced by
senior management? |
Not Achieved |
Achieved |
·
Does the Board
operate in an atmosphere of openness and trust? |
Achieved |
Achieved |
2.
Is there
appropriate Board membership, composition, and selection, including: |
||
·
Have Board
member qualifications and competencies been clearly articulated? |
Achieved |
Achieved |
·
Are the
committees that have been established to assist the Board sufficient to
ensure adequate and effective governance? |
Not Achieved |
Achieved |
·
Does the Board
have at least one member with financial expertise, including knowledge of
accounting practices, financial controls, and financial analysis? |
Achieved |
Achieved |
·
Does the Board
have a search or nominating committee that is responsible for selecting Board
members? |
Not Achieved |
Achieved |
·
Is the
orientation for Board members adequate? |
Achieved |
Achieved |
·
Is the ongoing
training for Board members adequate? |
Not Achieved |
Achieved |
3.
Is the Board
evaluation process adequate, including: |
||
·
Have annual
objectives and/or performance indicators for the Board been established? |
Not Achieved |
Achieved |
·
Is there a
process for and annual self-evaluation of the Board’s and/or individual
member performance? |
Not Achieved |
Achieved |
·
Is there a
regular review undertaken regarding the quality of the agenda and minutes? |
Achieved |
Achieved |
·
Does the Board
periodically assess its approach on how it reviews financial and budget
information? |
Not Achieved |
Achieved |
·
Are there
processes in place for external audit or review? |
Not Achieved |
Achieved |
4.
Is there
appropriate conduct of Board meetings and recording information, including: |
||
·
Do meeting
agendas focus on strategic, substantive issues? |
Not Achieved |
Achieved |
·
Do meetings
afford Board members adequate opportunity to provide meaningful input and
provide a forum for raising and discussing significant issues? |
Achieved |
Achieved |
·
Is the quality
and timeliness of information provided to Board members adequate? |
Achieved |
Achieved |
·
Are minutes of
the previous meeting approved at the following meeting? |
Achieved |
Achieved |
·
Is responsibility
for any required action clearly indicated in the minutes? |
Achieved |
Achieved |
·
Are the Board
meetings well attended by Board members? |
Achieved |
Achieved |
·
Is there a high
level of member participation at Board meetings? |
Achieved |
Achieved |
·
Is there an adequate
process for recording, tracking, and following up on an interest? |
Not Achieved |
Achieved |
5.
Does the Board
play an adequate role in strategic planning and performance measurement,
including: |
||
·
Does the Board
have an adequate role in budget direction? |
Not Achieved |
Achieved |
·
Does the Board
have an adequate role in strategic planning? |
Not Achieved |
Achieved |
·
Does the Board
have an adequate role in risk management? |
Achieved |
Achieved |
·
Does the Board
play a role in setting “tone at the top”? |
Achieved |
Achieved |
·
Does the Board
have an adequate role in performance measurement? |
Not Achieved |
Achieved |
·
Is there an
effective process for evaluating the performance of the Chief? |
Achieved |
Achieved |
·
Is there an
effective process for succession planning for senior staff? |
Achieved |
Achieved |
The
following table summarizes for each individual audit report recommendation:
·
the
Board response,
·
the
follow up action and status, and
·
the
Auditor General’s comments regarding the follow up actions and status.
AUDIT
RECOMMENDATIONS |
BOARD RESPONSE |
FOLLOW UP ACTION AND STATUS |
AUDITOR GENERAL’S COMMENTS |
1.0 Roles and
Responsibilities |
|||
1.1 Develop a
quality assurance process to ensure compliance to the Police Services Act and
its regulation. |
That the Board direct
the Chief to report back with a plan to develop a quality assurance process,
in consultation with the Board Policy Committee. Timeline:
Q1 2006
|
Quality Assurance process approved by Board at 27 March 2006 meeting. Status: Completed
|
The Auditor General is satisfied with the
follow-up actions taken to implement this recommendation. |
1.2
Require OPS senior management to provide information to the Board on the
status of the internal audit function.
Furthermore, that the Board, with input from the Chief, develop an
audit policy. |
That the Board direct the Chief to report back with:
b.
recommendations
for the development of an audit policy, in consultation with the Board’s
Policy Committee. Timeline:
Q1 2006
|
a. Status report on the internal audit function provided to Board at 27 March 2006 meeting. Status: Completed
b.
Audit Policy
approved by Board at 27 March 2006 meeting and incorporated into Board Policy
Manual. Status: Completed
|
The Auditor General is satisfied with the
follow-up actions taken to implement this recommendation. |
1.3 As per the Board Policy Manual, ensure
at least one Board member is present when the Chief appears before Council. |
That this section of the Board Policy Manual be revisited during the comprehensive review of the Board Policy Manual in 2006. Timeline: Q2-Q4 2006
|
A comprehensive review
of the Board’s Policy Manual is currently in progress and this recommendation
will be addressed as part of the review. Status: In Progress
|
The Auditor General is satisfied with the
follow-up actions taken to address this recommendation. |
2.0 Board Policies |
|||
2.1
As per the Board Policy Manual, develop a process to review and update (if
required) all Board policies annually. |
That a process for
regular review of all board policies be addressed as part of the
comprehensive review of the Board’s policy model in 2006. Timeline: Q2- Q4 2006
|
A comprehensive review
of the Board’s Policy Manual is currently in progress and this recommendation
will be addressed as part of the review. Status: In
Progress
|
The Auditor General is satisfied with the
follow-up actions taken to address this recommendation. |
3.0 Committee
Structure
|
|||
3.1
Develop a detailed terms of reference for each of the committees to be
included in the Board Policy Manual. |
That terms of
reference for each of the Board’s committees (budget, complaints, HR and
policy) be developed in consultation with OPS staff. Timeline:
Q2 2006
|
Detailed terms of
reference for each of the Board’s 4 standing committees have been developed
for inclusion in the Board’s Policy Manual and were approved at the
26 June 2006 Board meeting. Status: Completed
|
The Auditor General is satisfied with the
follow-up actions taken to implement this recommendation. |
3.2 Review the committee structure on a
regular basis to assess its appropriateness. |
That a schedule for
regular review of the committee structure be developed and incorporated into
board policies. Timeline:
Q2 2006
|
The committee structure
was reviewed during the development of committee terms of reference, and a
schedule for ongoing regular review of the committee structure has been
included in the terms of reference for the Policy Committee, approved on 26
June 2006. Status: Completed
|
The Auditor General is satisfied with the
follow-up actions taken to implement this recommendation. |
4.0 Board/OPS Senior
Management Relationship |
|||
4.1 Maintain a sufficiently independent
voice from OPS senior management. |
Agreed. Sections 1.2.4,
1.4(b), 1.7.3, 2.1, 2.2 and 3.8 of the Board’s Policy Manual address Board /
Chief relations and communications. Timeline:
Ongoing
|
Board members have
been reminded of the applicable sections of the Board Policy Manual. Status: Addressed
|
The Auditor General is satisfied with the
follow-up actions taken to address this recommendation. |
4.2 As per the Board Policy Manual, adhere to its protocol
for communications with the Chief. |
Agreed. Sections 1.2.4,
1.4(b), 1.7.3, 2.1, 2.2 and 3.8 of the Board’s Policy Manual address Board /
Chief relations and communications. Timeline:
Ongoing
|
Board members have
been reminded of the applicable sections of the Board Policy Manual. Status: Addressed
|
The Auditor General is satisfied with the
follow-up actions taken to address this recommendation. |
5.0 Board Member
Appointments |
|||
5.1 Determine the collective skill set required for the Board to
successfully achieve its mandate of providing sound governance and oversight
to the Ottawa Police Service. |
That a collective
skill set be developed and submitted to the board for approval. Timeline:
Q3 2006
|
A competency/skill
composite for the Board has been developed and was approved at the Board’s 25
September 2006 meeting. Status: Completed
|
The Auditor General is satisfied with the
follow-up actions taken to implement this recommendation. |
5.2 Develop a detailed job description for Board members that outlines
expected workload, time commitment, and remuneration, including all
activities that Board members may be required to participate in such as
training, conferences, committee work, ceremonial events, and other relevant
activities. |
That a detailed job
description for board members be prepared & submitted to the board for
approval. Timeline:
Q3 2006
|
A detailed job description
for Board members has been developed and was approved by the Board at its 25
September 2006 meeting. Status: Completed
|
The Auditor General is satisfied with the
follow-up actions taken to implement this recommendation. |
5.3 Determine, each time a vacancy is about to occur, the required
skill set that is necessary to achieve the collective skill set of the Board,
and provide that information to the appointing body, along with the Board
member job description. |
That prior to each
municipal election and the end of provincial appointees’ terms, the board
determine the skill set required at that time and forward it to the
appointing body. Timeline: Fall 2006 and then as required |
The collective skill
set of current Board members will be determined in October/November 2006. Status: Completed
|
The Auditor General is satisfied with the
follow-up actions taken to address this recommendation. |
6.0 Board Member
Training |
|||
6.1
Specify Board member training requirements.
|
That training
requirements be determined and submitted to the board for approval. Timeline:
Q1 2006
|
Training requirements
have been developed and were approved by the Board at the 27 February
2006 meeting. Status:
Completed |
The Auditor General is satisfied with the
follow-up actions taken to implement this recommendation. |
6.2
Report annually (and publicly) on individual member training, and training of
the Board as a whole.
|
That reporting on board training be included in the annual Board Activity Report (see recommendation 7.2) Timeline:
Q1 starting in 2007
|
Board staff have been
recording Board activity and training on a monthly basis and will be
preparing an Activity Report to be submitted to the Board in 1Q 2007. Status: To Be
Completed |
The Auditor General is satisfied with the
follow-up actions taken to address this recommendation. |
7.0 Board Evaluation
Process |
|||
7.1 As per the Board Policy Manual,
determine performance evaluation measures and conduct a formal Board
evaluation annually. |
a.
That
performance evaluation measures be determined and submitted to the board for
approval. Timeline: Q1 2006 b.
That the Board
conduct a formal evaluation annually. Timeline:
Q4 annually
|
a. A
Performance Evaluation process was approved by the Board at its 27 March 2006
meeting along with a direction to the Policy Committee to develop a
Performance Evaluation measurement tool.
The tool has been completed and will be utilized in November/ December
as part of the approved process. Status: Completed b. Formal evaluation to be conducted in 4Q. Status: Completed |
The Auditor General is satisfied with the follow-up actions taken to
address this recommendation. |
7.2
Report the results of the performance evaluation in a Board Activity Report
in its public agenda. In addition to
the performance evaluation results, the report should include information on
such things as: -
Board activities (e.g., number of Board
meetings held, number of community meetings held, ceremonial events attended,
number of Council presentations, etc.) -
Hours of commitment -
Board training (see recommendation # 6) |
a.
That
recommendations for the content of the Board Activity Report be drafted and
submitted to the board for approval. Timeline: Q1 2006
b.
That an annual
Activity Report be submitted to the Board & Council. Timeline: Q1 starting in 2007
|
a. Indicators of Board activity have been
determined and were approved by the Board at its 27 February 2006 meeting. Status: Completed b. An
annual Activity and Performance Report is scheduled to be submitted to the
Board in 1Q 2007. Status: To Be Completed |
The Auditor General is satisfied with the
follow-up actions taken to address these recommendations. |
8.0 Board Meetings |
|||
8.1 As per the Board Policy Manual, adhere to the Annual Board
Planning Cycle (section 1.6). |
Agreed. That the Annual Board
Planning Cycle be reviewed as part of the comprehensive review of the board
policy manual in 2006. Timeline: Q2-Q4 2006
|
The Annual Board
Planning Cycle is being reviewed as part of the comprehensive review of the
Board’s Policy Manual currently in progress to determine whether changes are
required. However, draft workplans
for 2007 have already been prepared for the Board and its standing committees
and will be finalized in 4Q. Status: In Progress
|
The Auditor General is satisfied with the
follow-up actions taken to address this recommendation. |
8.2 Review the agenda, taking into consideration the need to include
more strategic agenda discussions. |
That the agenda be
reviewed to determine ways to include more strategic discussions. Timeline:
Q1 2006
|
The agenda has been
reviewed to determine ways to include more strategic discussions and this was
the subject of a report approved by the Board at its 25 September 2006
meeting. Status: Completed
|
The Auditor General is satisfied with the
follow-up actions taken to implement this recommendation. |
8.3 As per the Board Policy Manual, exercise more aggressive oversight
of reporting to the Board by ensuring that the Executive Director organize
and maintain an annual calendar of monitoring and other reports to be
received by the Board. Furthermore,
that the Board require reports to appear as an agenda item on the date they
are scheduled to appear, and require OPS senior management to formally
respond if a report is not going to meet a scheduled deadline. |
a.
That the
Executive Director be directed to organize, in consultation with OPS staff,
and maintain an annual calendar of monitoring requirements and deadlines for
other reports. b.
That the Chief
of Police be directed to ensure the schedule is adhered to or that a formal
response is provided if a report is not going to meet a scheduled deadline. Timeline:
Ongoing
|
a. A
Calendar of Monitoring Requirements has been prepared and was received by the
Board at its 29 May 2006 meeting. It
will be updated annually each January. Status: Completed b. The Chief has been advised of this
direction and the Calendar includes a statement to that effect. Status: Completed |
The Auditor General is satisfied with the
follow-up actions taken to implement this recommendation. |
8.4 Review the format of the Chief’s verbal
report, taking into consideration the principles of meeting effectiveness. |
That the format of the
Chief’s verbal report be reviewed. Timeline:
Q2 2006
|
The format of the
Chief’s verbal report was reviewed in conjunction with Recommendation 8.2 and
was addressed in the same report approved by the Board at its 25 September
2006 meeting. Status:
Completed |
The Auditor General is satisfied with the follow-up actions taken to
address this recommendation. |
9.0 Recording and
Tracking Requests |
|||
9.1
Direct the Executive Director to present a report at each Board meeting that
lists all the outstanding inquiries and resolutions, as a regular agenda
item. |
That the Executive
Director be directed to present a report at each board meeting listing all
outstanding inquiries and motions. Timeline:
Monthly, beginning March 2006 |
A report containing a
list of all outstanding inquiries and motions has been submitted to the Board
at each monthly meeting since March 2006. Status:
Completed |
The Auditor General is satisfied with the
follow-up actions taken to implement this recommendation. |
9.2
Review the current list of outstanding inquiries and resolutions and
determine which ones require action. |
That the current list
of outstanding inquiries and resolutions be reviewed. Timeline:
Q1 2006
|
The list was reviewed
by the Board’s Executive Director and Chief’s Executive Officer and the
findings reported to the Board at its 27 March 2006 meeting. Status:
Completed |
The Auditor General is satisfied with the
follow-up actions taken to implement this recommendation. |
10.0 Budget
Direction |
|||
10.1 That the Board review the July 2005 Audit of the Budget Development Process at the Ottawa Police Service and ensure timely implementation of the recommendations. |
That the Budget
Development Process Audit recommendations be reviewed to ensure timely
implementation, and that the role of the Board & Budget Committee in the
budget development process be determined in time to be implemented for the 2007
budget process. Timeline:
Q2 2006
|
Board’s newly named
Finance and Audit Committee met with OPS staff to review the status of the
Budget Development Process Audit recommendations, and determined the role of
the Committee and Board in that process. This was the subject of a report to
the Board at its 26 June 2006 meeting. Status: Completed
|
The Auditor General feels that the
Board needs to play a more aggressive oversight role in following up on the
delayed implementation of many of the Budget Development Process Audit
recommendations. The general
management response indicated that the recommendations would be addressed in
2006 and many of the recommendations have not yet been implemented. |
11.0 Strategic
Planning |
|||
11.1
Clarify its role in developing, challenging, and debating the Business Plan. |
That the Policy
Committee clarify the Board’s role and responsibilities within the Business
Plan development framework and report back to the board. Timeline:
Q1 2006
|
The role of the Board
and Policy Committee in the Business Plan development framework has been
determined and was the subject of a report to the Board on 24 April 2006. Status: Completed
|
The Auditor General is satisfied with the
follow-up actions taken to implement this recommendation. |
11.2 Ensure that status reporting against the
Business Plan is included in the agenda at the scheduled time. |
a.
That status
reporting on the Business Plan be incorporated into the monitoring schedule
to be developed (see recommendation 8.3) Timeline: Q2
2006 b.
That the Chief
thereafter be directed to provide status reports at the scheduled time. Timeline:
Ongoing
|
a. Semi-annual status reporting on the
Business Plan has been incorporated into the Calendar of Monitoring
Requirements approved by the Board on 29 May 2006. Status: Completed b. The
Chief was formally given this direction in a report approved by the Board at
its 24 April 2006 meeting. Status: Completed |
The Auditor General is satisfied with the
follow-up actions taken to implement this recommendation. |
11.3
Require OPS senior management to link reports that are brought before the
Board to the Business Plan, where appropriate. |
That the Chief of
Police be directed to present options to the Policy Committee, for the
Board’s consideration. Timeline:
Q1 2006
|
In a report approved
by the Board at its 24 April 2006 meeting, the Chief was directed to link reports to the Board to the Business Plan, where
appropriate, by including a standard line or footnote in those reports
indicating how the report links to the Plan, and that the semi-annual status
reports include a list of reports submitted to the Board in that reporting
period that had links to the Business Plan. Status: Completed
|
The Auditor General is satisfied with the
follow-up actions taken to implement this recommendation. |
12.0 Performance
Measurement |
|||
12.1
Work with OPS senior management to determine an appropriate timeframe for
developing the Performance Measurement Framework and the reporting of it. |
That board
representatives meet with OPS staff to determine an appropriate timeframe and
workplan for completing the Performance Measurement Framework and report back
to the Board. Timeline:
Q1 2006
|
A report outlining the
timeframe and workplan for completing the Performance Measurement Framework
was received by the Board at its 25 September 2006 meeting. Status: Completed
|
The Auditor General is satisfied with the
follow-up actions taken to implement this recommendation. |
12.2 Add one more representative to the Citizens’ Advisory
Committee on Performance Measurement Committee. |
That the Board appoint
a second representative to the Committee at the 16 January 2006 meeting. Timeline:
Q1 2006
|
The Board appointed a
second representative, H. Jensen, at its meeting on 16 January 2006. Status: Completed
|
The Auditor General is satisfied with
the follow-up actions taken to implement this recommendation. |
2. AUDITOR GENERAL'S FOLLOW-UP REPORT
ON THE GOVERNANCE AUDIT OF THE OTTAWA POLICE SERVICES BOARD
City
Auditor General’s report dated February 2007
That the Ottawa
Police Services Board:
1.
Receive the
follow-up audit report from the City of Ottawa Auditor General regarding the
Governance Audit of the Ottawa Police Services Board.
2.
Forward
the Auditor General’s follow-up audit report to Ottawa City Council for information.
RECEIVED
2. AUDITOR
GENERAL'S FOLLOW-UP REPORT ON THE AUDIT OF THE OTTAWA POLICE SERVICE BUDGET
DEVELOPMENT PROCESSES RAPPORT DE SUIVI DU VÉRIFICATEUR GÉNÉRAL SUR LA VÉRIFICATION DES
PROCESSUS D’ÉLABORATION DU BUDGET DU SERVICE DE POLICE D’OTTAWA |
BOARD RECOMMENDATION
That Council receive this report for
information.
RECOMMANDATION DE LA
COMMISSION
Que le Conseil prenne connaissance du présent rapport à titre
d’information
DOCUMENTATION
1.
City Auditor General’s report dated February 2007.
2.
OPS
Management response dated 29 January 2007.
3. Extract of Draft Minute, 26 February 2007 is
attached.
|
Office of the Auditor General Follow-Up Audit: Budget
Development Process at the Ottawa Police Service February 2007 |
BACKGROUND................................................................................................................. 23
2006 FOLLOW-UP AUDIT................................................................................................ 23
REPORT ORGANIZATION............................................................................................... 23
SECTION
1: General Observations...................................................................................... 24
SECTION 2: Summary
of Audit Criteria............................................................................... 24
Table 1 – Summary of Audit Results by
Criterion................................................................... 25
SECTION 3: Assessment of Implementation of the Audit Report.......................................... 28
Recommendations................................................................................................................. 28
Budget Guidelines and Instructions......................................................................................... 29
Budget Review, Discussion, Modification
and Adoption......................................................... 33
Budget and Financial Performance
Monitoring........................................................................ 36
Conclusion............................................................................................................................ 38
In accordance with the 2005 Audit Plan, and as requested by the Ottawa
Police Services Board (the Board) on February 28, 2005, the Auditor General
completed an audit of the budget development processes used by the Ottawa
Police Service (OPS). The objective of
the audit was to assess the adequacy and effectiveness of the current
procedures used by the Ottawa Police Service in preparing, reviewing, adopting
and monitoring its annual budget. The
scope included the processes used in preparing the 2005 budget. The audit did not question the specific
funding decisions and allocations as determined by the Police Service.
On July 25, 2005, the Board received the Auditor General’s final report
on the Budget
Development Process at the Ottawa Police Services Board. In receiving the audit report the Police
Services Board approved the following recommendation:
That
the Ottawa Police Services Board:
Based upon the timing of the release of the Auditor General’s report,
the Management response to the audit and the Board’s direction, it was
anticipated that the Audit recommendations would be implemented as part of the
2006 budget development process.
The
Office of the Auditor General has now completed a follow-up on the 2005
audit. The objective of the follow-up
audit was to assess the adequacy of the actions taken to implement the audit
recommendations.
The
report is organized into three sections described below. The general observations for each of the
areas reviewed are as follows:
Section
1 – General Observations: The Auditor General’s overall assessment of
the follow up action taken by the OPS to implement the Audit Report
recommendations.
Section
2 – Summary of Audit Criteria: A summary of the audit criteria used to assess the budget
development processes at the OPS.
Section
3 – Assessment of Implementation of the Audit Report Recommendations: The Auditor General’s
comments on the follow up action and status of each audit report
recommendation.
A total of twelve (12) recommendations were made in the original July 2005 audit report. Of these:
·
Five
(5) have been implemented;
·
Five
(5) were not implemented as part of the 2006 budget development process and;
·
By
the nature of the wording, two (2) could not be implemented as part of the 2006
budget development process but should be incorporated as part of the 2007
process.
Overall,
while efforts have been made to several areas, it is the assessment of the
Auditor General that OPS could have been more diligent in ensuring that the
2006 budget development process incorporated the 2005 recommendations more
fully in order to meet the Board’s direction.
A
status report titled “Update on Budget Development Process Audit” was presented
to Board on 26 June 2006 indicating that the outstanding recommendations are
now being considered for implementation in 2007. The minutes from the meeting show that the Board received the
report with very little discussion or questioning of staff as to why the
recommendations have not been implemented as planned.
In
the Audit of the Budget Development Process at the Ottawa Police Services
Board, the Auditor General used a number of specific criteria to assess the
budget development process.
The
table below presents each of the audit criteria used in the 2005 audit and the
results of the 2006 follow up audit for each criterion.
AUDIT CRITERIA |
2005
AUDIT RESULTS |
2006
FOLLOW UP AUDIT RESULTS |
1.
Have broad goals
been established to guide decision making, including: |
||
·
Assessing community needs, priorities, challenges and opportunities |
Achieved |
Not Necessary to Follow-up |
·
Identifying stakeholder concerns, needs, and priorities |
Achieved |
Not Necessary to Follow-up |
·
Evaluating community condition, external factors, opportunities and
challenges |
Achieved |
Not Necessary to Follow-up |
·
Identifying opportunities and challenges for programs/services, capital
assets, and management |
Achieved |
Not Necessary to Follow-up |
·
Developing and disseminating broad
goals and review with stakeholders |
Achieved |
Not Necessary to Follow-up |
2.
Have policies and
approaches been developed to achieve goals, including: |
||
·
Financial policies for: |
|
|
Stabilization/reserve
funds |
Not Achieved |
Not Yet Achieved
|
Fees and
charges |
Achieved |
Not Necessary to Follow-up |
Debt issuance
and management |
Not Achieved |
Not Yet Achieved
|
Use of
one-time/unpredictable revenues |
Achieved |
Not Necessary to Follow-up |
Balancing the
operating budget |
Not Achieved |
Not Yet Achieved
|
Revenue
diversification |
Achieved |
Not Necessary to Follow-up |
Contingency
planning |
Achieved |
Not Necessary to Follow-up |
Capital asset
acquisition, maintenance, replacement, and retirement |
Not Achieved |
Not Yet Achieved
|
·
Program development and evaluation |
Achieved |
Not Necessary to Follow-up |
·
Options for meeting capital needs |
Achieved |
Not Necessary to Follow-up |
·
Performance measures/ benchmarks for functions, programs, and/or
activities of organizational units |
Achieved |
Not Necessary to Follow-up |
·
Management strategies to facilitate attainment of program and financial
goals |
Achieved |
Not Necessary to Follow-up |
·
Mechanisms to
ensure budgetary compliance |
Achieved |
Not Necessary to Follow-up |
3. Has a process for preparing and adopting a budget
been developed, including: |
||
·
A budget calendar/timeline |
Achieved |
Not Necessary to Follow-up |
·
Budget guidelines and instructions |
Not Achieved |
Not Achieved
|
·
Mechanisms for coordinating budget preparation |
Achieved |
Not Necessary to Follow-up |
·
Procedures to facilitate budget review, discussion, modification, and
adoption |
Not Achieved |
Not Achieved
|
·
Opportunities for stakeholder input |
Achieved |
Not Necessary to Follow-up |
·
Long-range financial planning |
Achieved |
Not Necessary to Follow-up |
·
Revenue projections/forecasts |
Achieved |
Not Necessary to Follow-up |
·
Preparing expenditure
projections/forecasts |
Achieved |
Not Necessary to Follow-up |
4.
Do the budget
documents include: |
||
·
Key policies, plans, goals, issues |
Achieved |
Not Necessary to Follow-up |
·
A financial overview |
Achieved |
Not Necessary to Follow-up |
·
A guide to operations |
Achieved |
Not Necessary to Follow-up |
·
A budget summary |
Achieved |
Not Necessary to Follow-up |
·
A clear, easy-to-use format |
Achieved |
Not Necessary to Follow-up |
5.
Is performance
being monitored, measured, and evaluated, including: |
||
·
Program performance |
Achieved |
Not Necessary to Follow-up |
·
Stakeholder satisfaction |
Achieved |
Not Necessary to Follow-up |
·
Budgetary performance |
Not Achieved |
Partially Achieved
|
·
Financial
condition |
Not
Achieved |
Partially Achieved
|
·
External factors |
Achieved |
Not Necessary to Follow-up |
·
Capital program implementation |
Achieved |
Not Necessary to Follow-up |
6.
Are adjustments
being made as needed including adjustments to: |
||
·
Budget |
Achieved |
Not Necessary to Follow-up |
·
Policies,
plans, programs, and management strategies |
Achieved |
Not Necessary to Follow-up |
·
Broad goals |
Achieved |
Not Necessary to Follow-up |
The
following table summarizes for each individual audit report recommendation:
·
The
original audit recommendations;
·
The
management response provided by the Board and the OPS;
·
The
follow up action and status provided by the OPS; and
·
The
Auditor General’s comments regarding the follow up actions and status.
AUDIT
RECOMMENDATIONS |
OPS/BOARD RESPONSE |
FOLLOW UP ACTION AND STATUS JUNE 2006 |
AUDITOR GENERAL’S COMMENTS |
Budget Challenges
Currently Facing the OPS |
|||
1.
That the OPS work with the City to clarify and resolve any
outstanding financial issues associated with the creation of a separate
tax-rate for the Police Service. |
Agreed
– to be implemented in 2005/2006
Accounting work: ·
Transfer debt
repayment costs from City to OPS budget ·
2005 budget
base of $5.3 million ·
Pays principle
and interest costs on $18.4 million of debt. Policy work: ·
Work with City
staff to develop a policy on disposition of annual budget surpluses or
deficits ·
Consolidated or
stand-alone? |
Police
and City Financial Management staff have begun, and will continue, discussions
to clarify and formalize the recommended policy for future dispositions. Those recommendations will be provided to
the Board for consideration in a separate report at an upcoming meeting. Status: Not Completed |
The recommendation was not fully
implemented for the 2006 budget process.
Ongoing discussions between OPS and the City have taken place
periodically during 2006. In December
2006 the OPS Long Range Financial Plan (LRFP) was presented to the Board
addressing some of the issues related to this recommendation (e.g. debt
management). Other key issues (e.g.
disposition of deficits/surpluses) remain unresolved at this time. It is acknowledged that addressing this
recommendation requires coordination with the City of Ottawa, however, the
Auditor General is of the opinion that this recommendation could have been
implemented in 2006, as originally intended. |
Budget Guidelines and Instructions
|
|||
2.
That for 2006, in order to more clearly articulate to all
stakeholders the implications to direct service, the OPS prepare a number of
funding scenarios for Board review, including a 3%-increase scenario up to
the 9%-increase scenario originally forecasted in the 2005 budget. |
Agreed – Done
·
2006 Budget
Guideline report in June provided 3 scenarios: -
cost of “lights-on”:
$8 M -
staff
recommended guideline: $11.2M -
3% motion:
$5.2M – cuts of $60M, 70 positions |
The
recommended scenarios and potential resultant impact on 2006 services were
provided by presentation to the Board at the meeting on 25 July 2005. While the specifics of these
recommendations refer to 2006 only, the spirit can be carried forward to
future budget development. At the
time of budget guideline, staff will prepare various funding
scenarios and the resultant impact on police services for the information of
the Finance and Audit Committee and the Board. Status: Completed |
The Auditor General is satisfied with
the follow-up actions taken to implement this recommendation. |
3.
That the Board formally respond to Council’s 3% motion by presenting
to Council various budget scenarios (including a 3% increase scenario) along
with a recommended level of funding for 2006 to Council in order for an
informed debate on the potential implications for OPS services to be
undertaken and to clarify Council’s expectations for OPS funding in 2006. |
Board
Role – Done ·
Executive
presented Board’s rationale and recommendation to CSED and Council -
Recommended
guideline: $11.2 M -
Cost of
“lights-on”: $8M -
3% motion:
$5.2M – cuts of $6M, 70 positions ·
Council
direction: -
Develop the
budget around a different scenario -
Under $11.2,
using provincial staffing funds |
The Auditor General is satisfied
with the follow-up actions taken to implement this recommendation. |
|
4.
That in future years, the Board and the OPS continue with a more
proactive approach in determining in the spring of each year its own budget
directions and guidelines for the coming year. |
Agreed
– to be implemented in 2006
·
Staff will plan the 2007 Budget
Timetable so that the Guideline can be considered by the Board in June ·
Adjustments will be made to accommodate
the City’s schedule |
Management
will endeavour to plan the annual budget timetable so that the guideline
report is tabled no later than June.
As a result of 2007 being an election year, the budget guideline is
deferred for approval in the New Year.
It is anticipated that the City of Ottawa budget timetable will be
presented to City Council in mid-July.
The Police Services Board timetable will follow, at the Board’s July
meeting. Status: Not Completed |
At the time of the original audit
report (July 2005), the guideline for 2006 had already been defined. As such, it would not have been possible
for this recommendation to be addressed at that time. The 2006 election has delayed the 2007
budget process. However, in presenting
the LRFP and a $10.5 million budget increase for 2007 to the Board in
December 2006, OPS indicated, “staff have not had sufficient time to develop
a comprehensive 0% increase scenario and to fully quantify the potential
impacts of such a plan…”. The Auditor
General is of the opinion that, in keeping with the audit recommendation, a
more proactive approach to the 2007 budget analysis was possible and would
have resulted in a more comprehensive analysis being provided to the Board. |
5.
That the OPS use this guideline to trigger discussions with the City
on broader budget directions as early as possible each year. |
Agreed
– to be implemented in 2006
Staff can begin working level
discussion in May. |
At the time of the original audit
report (July 2005), the guideline for 2006 had already been defined. As such, it would not have been possible
for this recommendation to be addressed at that time. In addition, it is acknowledged that addressing
this recommendation requires coordination with the City’s budget process
which is beyond the control of the OPS However, as with the previous
recommendation, the Auditor General is of the opinion that a more proactive
approach to the 2007 budget process was possible. |
|
6.
That the OPS pursue inclusion at Executive Management Committee
meetings at the City where budget strategies and issues are to be discussed. |
Agreed
– to be implemented in 2006 ·
Welcome the
opportunity to be involved in the discussions of the overall process ·
Director
General would be the contact. |
This approach was not enacted for the
2006 Budget process. For 2007, it is
recommended that Police management solicit input from City management to
pursue inclusion of the Chief, or his delegate, at City of Ottawa Executive
Management Committee meetings to discuss budget strategy. Status: Not Completed |
The
recommendation was not implemented for the 2006 budget process. In June of 2006, correspondence was sent
from Board to the City requesting participation in the City’s Executive
Management Committee meetings for 2007 budget development purposes. On August 18, 2006 the City replied and a
representative from OPS is now included in budget discussions at Executive
Management Committee. It is
acknowledged that addressing this recommendation required coordination
between OPS and the City however, the Auditor General is of the opinion that
this recommendation could have been implemented during the 2006 budget
process as originally intended. |
AUDIT RECOMMENDATIONS |
OPS/BOARD RESPONSE |
FOLLOW UP ACTION AND STATUS JUNE 2006 |
AUDITOR GENERAL’S COMMENTS |
7.
That the OPS build on its current practice of providing 2-year
forecasts to present multi-year budget to the Board which clearly outline the
anticipated impact on the Police tax rate for each year. |
Agreed – to be implemented in 2006 ·
Goal is a 3-5
year operating forecast ·
Provides a
better view of the impact of: -
Growth -
Long range
financial plan -
Impact of the
future capital project on operating budget |
For
2007, the OPS will prepare a Long Range Financial Plan that will include a forecast
of 4 years of operating requirements and associated tax rate impacts. For 2007 and beyond, the Draft Operating
Budget will also include a forecast of a sliding term of 4 years. This will provide an improved view of the
impacts of City growth and the operating impacts of future capital
requirements. This approach is in
response to the Auditor-General’s recommendation, and is consistent with the
anticipated plan of the City of Ottawa as a whole. Status: Not Completed |
The
recommendation was not implemented during the 2006 budget process. In December 2006, OPS did present a
four-year budget forecast to the Board as part of the LRFP. The Auditor General is of the opinion that
this recommendation could have been implemented during the 2006 budget process
as originally intended. |
Budget Review, Discussion, Modification and Adoption
|
|||
8.
That the Board continue to play a key role in scrutinizing draft
budgets including questions to re-confirm need for, and value of, specific
services and programs. |
Board
Role
·
Input from the Board is valuable in the draft budget review and
approval process.
|
Input from the Board is valuable in the draft
budget review and approval process.
The vehicle for this input will be further facilitated by the creation
of the Board Finance and Audit Committee.
See Recommendation 12. Status: Completed
and Ongoing |
The Auditor General is satisfied with
the follow-up actions taken to implement this recommendation. However, the Board needs to play a more
aggressive oversight role in following up on the delayed implementation of
many of the Budget Development Process Audit recommendations. |
9.
That the OPS enhance its internal budget development process in the
future to instruct each operational area to discuss and present to the
internal Budget Review Committee potential cost reductions. |
Agreed – to be implemented in
2006
·
Logical extension of the
internal budget review process ·
Realistic way for the
organization to achieve a portion of the efficiency target set by the Board
each year. ·
Will
be added as a requirement in the budget instructions issued to Section Heads |
Review for potential cost reductions is a logical
extension and a recurring requirement with the Budget Review Committee in
light of the Police Service Board’s annual efficiency target to be included
in each year’s draft Operating Budget.
This notification will be received by each of the Section Heads as
part of the budget directions and instructions, and will be subject to
internal review by the management Budget Review Committee, and reported to
the Board Finance and Audit Committee. Status: Not Completed |
The recommendation was not implemented
during the 2006 budget development process.
The Board set an efficiency target during the 2006 budget
deliberations and OPS quarterly reporting included progress against this
target throughout 2006. For 2007, the
Board has again set an efficiency target.
The intent of the audit recommendation is to establish a more
proactive approach to identifying potential cost savings during the internal development
of the budget. The Auditor General is
of the opinion that such an approach could have been implemented during the
2006 and the 2007 budget development process as originally intended. |
10. That the OPS consider a
zero-based budget approach for selected areas on a test basis in order to
re-confirm the validity of existing funding levels. |
Agreed
– to be implemented in 2006
·
Zero-based budgeting is a worthwhile
avenue to explore ·
Service delivery model has stabilized ·
Several years of consistent budget data
available for this purpose |
Zero-based budgeting is a worthwhile exercise to
explore. For 2007, staff are
considering specific areas of the organization for such review on a pilot
project basis. Status: Not Completed |
The recommendation was not implemented
during the 2006 budget development process.
In November 2006, OPS presented a status report to the Board on the
review of OPS fleet program. The
report indicates that ‘the Fleet program is considered a good test case for a
zero based budgeting approach, and will be subject to that analysis for the
2007 Budget.” The timing of this
initiative would seem to create a challenge to have it successfully completed
prior to finalizing the 2007 budget.
The Auditor General is of the opinion that this recommendation could
have been implemented in 2006, as originally intended. Management has indicated that pursuing a
zero-based approach in direct service areas may not be feasible. |
AUDIT RECOMMENDATIONS |
OPS/BOARD RESPONSE |
FOLLOW UP ACTION AND STATUS JULY 2007 |
AUDITOR GENERAL’S COMMENTS |
Budget and Financial
Performance Monitoring
|
|||
11. That the OPS continue its
current practice of providing quarterly financial reports and ensure such
reporting is maintained on a timely basis in the future. |
Agreed
– to be implemented in 2006
Staff propose the following
Board meeting schedule for tabling the quarterly reports:
·
First Quarter – April ·
Second Quarter – July ·
Third Quarter – October ·
Fourth Quarter – February |
This
practice is now business as usual.
Mid-year quarterly financial status reports are tabled with the Board
at the first meeting following the end of each quarter. The year-end report, financial statements,
and associated disposition of surplus/deficit report are scheduled for
presentation to the Board in the first quarter of the subsequent year. Status: Completed |
The Auditor General is satisfied with
the follow-up actions taken to implement this recommendation. |
12. That the Board consider establishing a Budget
Advisory Committee which would be in a better position to provide more
frequent and substantive input to budget development and financial
performance monitoring. |
Board
Role
·
Board input is always valued.
|
The Board’s Finance and Audit Committee has been
formed, consisting of Chair Eli El-Chantiry, Vice Chair Henry Jensen, and
Member Michel Bellemare. The roles
and responsibilities of the committee are outlined more fully in a mandate
report prepared by the Executive Director, and will include, but are not
limited to: ·
Providing guidance and direction to
staff on the budget development process, including annual guidelines,
timetables, format for public consultation. ·
Within the budget development process, regular meetings will be
scheduled to supplement the internal Budget Review Committee process, prior
to budget tabling. ·
Feedback on content and format of the periodic Long Range Financial
Plan, and the link to the Business Plan. ·
To receive and comment on all manner of financial reporting outside of
the budget development process, including quarterly status reports, financial
administration policies, and year-end financial statement review. Status: Completed |
The Auditor General is satisfied with
the follow-up actions taken to implement this recommendation. |
The
Auditor General is concerned that, while a number of the audit recommendations
have been implemented, several others were not addressed as part of the 2006
budget development process as was intended.
The original audit report was presented in July 2005 in order to improve
the 2006 budget development process and it was anticipated that, in the face of
budgetary constraints, OPS would have been more proactive in responding to the
recommendations.
The
Management response to the audit as well as the Board’s direction to staff at
the time of the original report reinforces this expectation. The 2007 process is nearing completion,
however, implementation of some key recommendations is just now beginning. The status report presented by the OPS to
the Board in July 2006 did not provide any rationale for the delay nor was any
rationale requested by the Board.
The
audit recommendations represent an opportunity for the
Ottawa Police Service to strengthen its budget processes, including developing
potential cost savings as part of internal budget development and pursuing a
zero-based approach in some areas. In
our opinion, further attention is required to more fully pursue these
opportunities.
OTTAWA POLICE SERVICE RESPONSE TO
AUDITOR-GENERAL’S FOLLOW-UP REPORT ON
BUDGET DEVELOPMENT PROCESSES
January
29, 2007
Mr.
Alain Lalonde
Auditor
General
City
of Ottawa
110
Laurier Avenue West
Ottawa,
ON K1P 1J1
Dear
Mr. Lalonde,
Thank
you for providing the Executive Command of the Police Service the opportunity
to comment on the report outlining the results of the Follow-up of the Audit of
the Budget Development Process. Your
staff carry out their work in a very professional way and it is reflected in
the changes that we see in the final report.
They were very open to hearing our viewpoints, took into consideration a
range of documentation that we tabled and have adjusted their findings
accordingly. The final document is one
that is a stronger reflection of the results which have been achieved since the
audit was completed in 2005.
The
OPS values input from the Auditor General.
The 2005 audit has resulted in improvements in our budget development
and financial reporting processes. The
2006 and 2007 OPS budgeting and financial cycles are stronger and more rigorous
as a direct result of the changes resulting from the implementation of the
audit recommendations.
The
OPS budget development process continues to improve even now. Other aspects of the audit recommendations
have been implemented despite the fact that the 2007 budget cycle is well
underway. For example, as recently as
this week, the Director General was invited to sit in on the City’s Executive
Management Committee to discuss plans for the next stages of the City budget
process, as required in Recommendation 6.
As well, the OPS Executive Team is actively engaged in an “Ideafest”
process to identify initiatives that will be undertaken to achieve the $1
million target for 2007, as required under Recommendation 9.
…/2
2/…
OPS
has a strong commitment to the budget process and to fulfilling its obligations
under the audit. It is our view that
the approach to date with respect to implementing the audit recommendations has
been a common sense and practical one.
That some recommendations still need to be fully implemented is a product
of the fact that they are tied to City events and election timing. We hope that our efforts to date would not
be viewed as inattentive to the Recommendations produced in the Report.
Yours
truly,
(original
signed by Debra Frazer,
Director
General)
for
Vince
Bevan
Chief of Police
3. AUDITOR GENERAL'S FOLLOW-UP REPORT ON THE AUDIT
OF THE OTTAWA POLICE SERVICE BUDGET DEVELOPMENT PROCESSES
City
Auditor General’s report dated February 2007
OPS
Management response dated 29 January 2007
That the Ottawa Police Services
Board:
1.
Receive the follow-up audit
report from the City of Ottawa Auditor General regarding the Ottawa Police
Service’s budget development processes.
2.
Consider the attached OPS
Management response to the follow-up Audit.
3.
Forward the Auditor
General’s follow-up audit report and the Management response to Ottawa City
Council for information.
RECEIVED