Can Norfolk County Staff Get Anything Right?

We hate to sound like a broken record but the hits just keep coming in Norfolk County.  One has to start to wonder if County Staff are capable of doing anything within an approved budget at this point.  The latest boondoggle is their screw up with the new administration building.  Originally approved at $1.15-million for leasehold improvements, Council had to vote to approve an additional $1.3-million now needed for the repairs.  Yes, Citizen's that's over double the cost of what Staff had originally taken to Council for approval. 

How do you screw up so badly that it's now twice the price?

According to Mayor Travale, it's just normal practice.  “When you build things, these things pop up,” Travale said.

“We don’t build a Provincial Offenses Facility every year,” Norfolk CAO Keith Robicheau said. “We have to build in items we weren’t aware of. You are going to have concerns like this come forward. There is still some uncertainty in these numbers.”

Keith Robicheau was paid $162,687.10 in 2012 and this is the best excuse he can come up with?

Norfolk County was required to seek review/approval from the Ministry of Attorney General (MAG) on the proposed Norfolk County POA Operations before signing a lease.

Can anything that Staff does come under budget?

Councilor Luke should be livid and someone should be held accountable.  Will they be?  Not if you consider the fact that these same Staffers now have approval to negotiate the improvements with the Contractors without Council.  This does not bode well for Norfolk County Citizens.

Council has decided to kick another Million Dollar can down the road for the next Administration, in addition to the increase for the OPP budget. Little wonder Citizen's are not rushing to sign up to run for Council.  No one wants to be part of the giant mess that will be handed to them.  The pain is yet to come.

The Long Point Region Conservation Authority spends $700,000 annually to upkeep their plush offices for their 21 workers.  Maybe Norfolk County Council should consider moving to that Oxford County address.  We wouldn't miss them and would likely be better off.

The ink is barely dry on the 2014 budget and we're already in the hole.  Considering the Winter snow clearing budget was blown back in December you should expect that cost to double and come in at roughly $7-m this year alone.

Regular Council Minutes - Tuesday, February 11, 2014

Mover: Councillor Peter Black
Seconder: Councillor Betty Chanyi

THAT Confidential Staff Report P.W. 14-07,
Budget Update - Leasehold Improvements, New Robinson St. Office Building,
be received as information;

AND THAT staff be authorized to negotiate the leasehold improvements
with the contractors (MCI) and the landlord with an upset limit of $1,288,430;

AND FURTHER THAT the budget for the Robinson Administration Building Leasehold
Improvements be amended to an upset budget of $2,212,222;

AND FURTHER THAT funding for the Robinson Administration Building Leasehold
Improvements be provided from the issuance of debentures in the amount of
$1,282,000 and $930,000 from the Building Reserve;

AND FURTHER THAT Council approves the issuance of debt.

Councillor Geysens requested a Recorded Vote

RECORDED VOTE:

Yays

Mayor Travale
Councillor Black
Councillor Chanyi
Councillor Oliver
Councillor Wells

Nays

Councillor Columbus
Councillor Geysens
Councillor Sonnenberg
Councillor Luke

5 Yeas 4 Nays

Even the restoration of the current Administration Building had it's problems.

According to Staff Report PW-13-41 :

It should be noted the tender amount also includes an additional provision for a new access hatch and
guard rails and ladder to access the roof hatch which was not included in the original scope of the
project. The change in scope of the project is minor and can be accommodated within the overall
approved budget allocation.

This Minor change came in at a price of $17,000.

It's only money.  Ours.  Will Staff ever be held accountable or just receive raises and praises?

We need a change and it can't come fast enough.