LETHBRIDGE, AB – A phase three report into an ongoing operational review has been presented to Lethbridge City Council.

This report, from consultant KPMG, looked at the operations of the Lethbridge Police Service, the Public Library and Economic Development Lethbridge to identify potential opportunity for efficiencies, cost improvement, innovation and re-investment.

City Manager Craig Dalton says the common thread through all of three of these organizations is the opportunity to work more collaboratively with the City. “We have important work to do here to align our priorities and resources and best serve the residents of Lethbridge.”

The City of Lethbridge is now two years into a three-year operational review process and has been working through the close to 90 opportunities already identified through phases one and two.

The aim of this review is to try and find efficiencies and ways of saving money. The entire phase 3 report can be found here.

KPMG Phase 3 Report:

Lethbridge Police Service

Programs like the Community Peace Officers and The Watch have already allowed LPS to provide greater support to frontline officers. Initiatives for 2021, include a greater move towards intelligence-led service delivery through the COMPSTAT model, and a pilot project involving staggered shifts to ensure more police officers are available during peak times.

Of particular interest to LPS is opportunities identified in the report around developing stronger partnerships with the City of Lethbridge and other community agencies to gain the upper hand on the opioid crisis. The KPMG review notes it is a “City-wide issue, not a policing issue” and LPS has already engaged with the City of Lethbridge about moving forward on community-driven initiatives with a police presence.

Lethbridge Public Library

The KPMG Operational Review highlights the Lethbridge Public Library aligns with Council’s strategic goals and is fulfilling its mission of being “A welcoming, inclusive space that connects and strengthens community through equitable access to learning and leisure.” The report demonstrates that the Library is an important community resource with above-average service levels, as well as being a collaborative community partner. Metrics indicate increased growth and usage of the Library and its services, and Citizen Survey Results are high in terms of importance and satisfaction.

The report outlines several possible opportunities to enhance efficiencies and effectiveness including clarifying and enhancing partnerships, adjusting hours of operation and the potential streamlining of corporate services.

Economic Development Lethbridge

The KPMG Operational Review has confirmed that Economic Development Lethbridge (EDL) continues to successfully deliver on its mandate to strengthen and diversify the Lethbridge economy while at the same time, providing the taxpayer with a solid return on their investment in the organization and its activities.

Some of the opportunities identified in the report include reviewing the relationship with the City and improving communication, board composition and size including the City’s role on the board, clarifying the mandate and alignment of City/regional economic development and the City’s investment in EDL.’

(Information provided by City of Lethbridge)