During budget deliberations last month, Coun. Bob Steckley motioned for an operational effectiveness and efficiency review. Council directed CAO Harry Schlange to obtain three estimates for an independent and comprehensive third party operational and efficiency review.

The estimates ranged between $80,000 and $200,000 plus 225 to 347 hours of staff time. All consultants agreed the project would take five to six months to complete.

In a report to council Monday, Schlange recommended council don't proceed with the review because it would jeopardize the delivery of strategic initiatives throughout the rest of 2008.

"Efficiency and effectiveness has been the cornerstone of the corporation, demonstrated by the addition of mandatory and important services within the existing staff complement and by the continuous improvements developed and implemented by staff," wrote Schlange. "Based on my experience, having spent most of my senior leadership career in multi-national corporations, driving efficiency (lower operating costs) while improving quality service for clients, my professional advice to council would be to not proceed with this review."

Steckley said every municipality across Canada has conducted operational reviews with some examining themselves every three or four years.

"Businesses do corporate reviews all the time," said Steckley. "If efficiencies come up, they will pay for themselves ... It's nothing to be afraid of and it's nothing to shy away from."

Coun. Tim Whitfield said he isn't afraid of the review at all. Instead, he believes money and staff recourses could be better spent elsewhere.

"Mr. Schlange is an expert in finding efficiencies. I'm concerned the amount of money is significant and frankly more than I want to spend," said Whitfield.

Mayor Doug Martin declared a conflict of interest after Steckley pointed out his wife is an employee of the town. Martin said under the Municipal Act, he wasn't required to declare a conflict, but decided to do so to keep his family out of the spotlight.