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White Rock consultant fees pass $1 million

The City of White Rock has paid more than $1 million to consultants in the first nine months of 2011, officials heard last week.
Outside of White Rock City Hall for letters page.
The City of White Rock has paid more than $1 million to consultants in the first nine months of 2011

The City of White Rock has paid more than $1 million to consultants in the first nine months of 2011, officials heard last week.

In presenting her third-quarter report Oct. 24, financial services director Sandra Kurylo told members of the finance and audit committee that more than half – $553,387 – of the total was spent between July and September.

The report notes $269,136 was spent on consultants from April to June; another $247,598 was paid from January to March.

The $1,070,121 year-to-date figure is more than double that spent on consultants in the first nine months of 2010 – a fact Kurylo said can be largely attributed to “the significant level of capital improvements underway.”

“The budget for that is significantly high this year,” she said.

Both figures – which are still subject to year-end review – take recoveries from grants and other contributions into account.

A detailed preliminary list identifies payments ranging from $217 for a drainage-fee bylaw update, to $57,434, for a Phase 2 storm sewer condition assessment.

In her report, Kurylo notes policy calls for consultant use when:

• specific expertise is not available in-house;

• it is not cost-effective for the project to be undertaken by staff;

• it is important to limit legal liability;

• there is a statutory requirement to hire a consultant;

• independent, objective advice is required; or

• flexibility is needed to meet tight, unexpected timeframes.

The committee voted to receive the information.

 

 



Tracy Holmes

About the Author: Tracy Holmes

Tracy Holmes has been a reporter with Peace Arch News since 1997.
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