Whitby Mayor Elizabeth Roy stated that the town is facing financial pressures as a result of growth, inflation, and provincial and federal downloading. According to Roy, residents are feeling the strain of the cost of living.
“We must take every possible step to keep property tax increases to a minimum while continuing to provide the high-quality services our community expects and deserves,” Roy said in the statement.
To ensure taxpayer dollars are used effectively, Roy added that she has issued a directive to the town’s Chief Administrative Officer to research and provide advice to council on retaining a third-party expert to undertake a core services review. This review will take a look at the services the town delivers, evaluating whether they meet the needs of Whitby and identifying opportunities to improve efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
The scope of the review will include:
- Identifying whether the town is providing services and whether they are delivered to standards.
- Determining whether there are ways the town can deliver services with options for reducing costs.
- Reviewing the town’s procurement policy and utilization of consultants.
- Providing a review of estimated cost savings and options for council consideration.
Roy described the review as a step in ensuring Whitby remains fiscally managed while continuing to be a place to live, work, and raise a family.
“I look forward to reviewing the recommendations and working with council and staff to ensure we are making the best decisions for our community—both now and in the future,” Roy said.
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