May 12, 1999

To:Audit Committee

From:City Auditor

Subject:Audit Workplan Update - Public Health Report

Recommendation:

It is recommended that this report be received for information and that the report be forwarded to the Board of Health for their information.

Background:

City Council, at its meeting held on March 2, 3 and 4, 1999, in approving the workplan of the City Auditor, referred Project No. 46, relating to the Public Health Program of the 1999 Audit Workplan, back to the Audit Committee with a request that the City Auditor submit a report to the Board of Health, through the Audit Committee, providing more details on the intention of this project.

Comments:

In formulating the annual Audit workplan opportunities were provided to the Chief Administrative Officer and each of the Commissioners to provide input into the plan. Initial discussions with both the Chief Administrative Officer and the Commissioner of Community and Neighbourhood Services indicated a desire to review certain aspects of the Public Health program, particularly individual costs relating to programs regarded as mandatory and programs defined as non-mandatory.

Subsequent to the preparation of the workplan, various Committee recommendations have resulted in a request to conduct additional reviews of the Public Health program. One of the reviews requested by Council, at its meeting of April 26 and 27, 1999, was directed to the Chief Administrative Officer and required the Chief Administrative Officer to conduct "a comprehensive review of public health programs, including mandatory and non-mandatory programs."

Discussions have been held with the Chief Administrative Officer, the Commissioner of Community and Neighbourhood Services and the Medical Officer of Health in order to assign responsibility for each of the reviews requested by Council. The review proposed by the City Auditor is the same as the review directed to the Chief Administrative Officer requested by Council. The Chief Administrative Officer proposes resourcing this project with staff from his office and is currently reviewing terms of reference for this project. Staff from the City Auditor's office will assist the Chief Administrative Officer and his staff in conducting this particular review.

Conclusions:

The terms of reference relating to the comprehensive review of public health programs requested by City Council are currently being developed by staff from the Chief Administrative Officer's office. This is being done in conjunction with the City Auditor, the Commissioner of Community and Neighbourhood Services and the Medical Officer of Health.

Contact Name and Telephone Number:

Jeffrey Griffiths, 392-8461

Jeffrey Griffiths

City Auditor