Winnipeg, MB - To assure systems and processes that are more transparent to City Council and citizens, work is well underway to address recommendations made in the City Auditor's report on the New Fire Paramedic Stations Construction Project.
On October 22, 2013, City Council concurred in the 14 recommendations contained in the audit prepared by Ernst &Young, and directed that the Winnipeg Public Service report to Council on the implementation of the recommendations on a quarterly basis over the next year.
In its response to the audit, the Public Service has acknowledged that while it followed existing City of Winnipeg by-laws, Council policies, administrative standards and practices, there is room for improvement of control measures to protect taxpayers’ dollars and to increase transparency of information about those investments.
The Public Service has already implemented initial changes to enhance reporting, and this first quarterly report demonstrates commitment by the Public Service to fully address the audit recommendations. Recommended improvements to policies, systems, processes and reporting will provide greater clarity to support the application of policies and standards and practices.
The City successfully manages major infrastructure projects with budgets in the hundreds of millions of dollars on a regular basis (e.g., Chief Peguis Trail Extension, Disraeli Bridges, Osborne Bridge). Our policies and procedures govern all projects. Updating and strengthening them will improve our processes and provide better protection for taxpayers.
An administrative report, which will be considered by Executive Policy Committee at its meeting on Wednesday, January 22, 2014 is available by clicking here.