Item - 2013.AU10.8
Tracking Status
- City Council adopted this item on April 3, 2013 without amendments and without debate.
- This item was considered by the Audit Committee on February 15, 2013 and adopted without amendment. It will be considered by City Council on April 3, 2013.
AU10.8 - Appraisal Services Unit - Opportunities for Improving Economy, Efficiency and Effectiveness
- Decision Type:
- ACTION
- Status:
- Adopted on Consent
- Wards:
- All
City Council Decision
City Council on April 3 and 4, 2013, adopted the following:
1. City Council request the Chief Corporate Officer to review the Parks Levy Appraisal Fee structure to ensure that costs are being reasonably recovered and that fees are revised annually to account for inflationary impacts on costs.
2. City Council request the Chief Corporate Officer, in the review of the appraisal fee structure, to explore opportunities for enhancing recoveries from applicants in instances where external appraisal costs exceed $6,000.
3. City Council request the Chief Corporate Officer, in the review of the appraisal fee structure, to consider the recovery of additional appraisal fees from applicants when additional costs are incurred as a result of applicant action/inaction.
4. City Council request the Chief Corporate Officer to review the adequacy of the reconciliation and monitoring processes over appraisal fee recoveries to ensure that amounts are accurate and that variances are reasonably explained.
5. City Council request the Deputy City Manager and Chief Financial Officer to ensure that the accounting for the $0.9 million of parks levy payments originating prior to 2009 be resolved as soon as possible.
6. City Council request the Chief Corporate Officer to document Appraisal Services’ operational policies and procedures, and ensure that any policies regarding the usage of external appraisers is aligned with the City’s Conflict of Interest Policy.
7. City Council request the Chief Corporate Officer to regularly monitor the targeted completion dates for appraisal requests to ensure that appraisal results are provided in a timely manner consistent with internally established guidelines.
8. City Council request the Chief Corporate Officer to assess the merits and feasibility of implementing system enhancements to improve the functionality in SAP to better serve management's needs.
Background Information (Committee)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2013/au/bgrd/backgroundfile-55750.pdf
Appendix 1 - Auditor General's Report - Appraisal Services Unit - Opportunities for Improving Economy, Efficiency and Effectiveness (January 16, 2013)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2013/au/bgrd/backgroundfile-55751.pdf
Appendix 2 - Management's Response
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2013/au/bgrd/backgroundfile-55752.pdf
AU10.8 - Appraisal Services Unit - Opportunities for Improving Economy, Efficiency and Effectiveness
- Decision Type:
- ACTION
- Status:
- Adopted
- Wards:
- All
Committee Recommendations
The Audit Committee recommends that:
1. City Council request the Chief Corporate Officer to review the Parks Levy Appraisal Fee structure to ensure that costs are being reasonably recovered and that fees are revised annually to account for inflationary impacts on costs.
2. City Council request the Chief Corporate Officer, in the review of the appraisal fee structure, to explore opportunities for enhancing recoveries from applicants in instances where external appraisal costs exceed $6,000.
3. City Council request the Chief Corporate Officer, in the review of the appraisal fee structure, to consider the recovery of additional appraisal fees from applicants when additional costs are incurred as a result of applicant action/inaction.
4. City Council request the Chief Corporate Officer to review the adequacy of the reconciliation and monitoring processes over appraisal fee recoveries to ensure that amounts are accurate and that variances are reasonably explained.
5. City Council request the Deputy City Manager and Chief Financial Officer to ensure that the accounting for the $0.9 million of parks levy payments originating prior to 2009 be resolved as soon as possible.
6. City Council request the Chief Corporate Officer to document Appraisal Services’ operational policies and procedures, and ensure that any policies regarding the usage of external appraisers is aligned with the City’s Conflict of Interest Policy.
7. City Council request the Chief Corporate Officer to regularly monitor the targeted completion dates for appraisal requests to ensure that appraisal results are provided in a timely manner consistent with internally established guidelines.
8. City Council request the Chief Corporate Officer to assess the merits and feasibility of implementing system enhancements to improve the functionality in SAP to better serve management's needs.
Origin
Summary
The Auditor General’s Work Plan included an operational review of Real Estate Services Division, Appraisal Services Unit (Appraisal Services). Appraisal Services provides valuation and consulting services to City Divisions, Agencies and Corporations for a variety of real estate matters. The objective of this review was to assess the extent to which Appraisal Services’ operations are efficient, effective and economical, and to identify improvement opportunities.
This report contains eight recommendations along with a management response to each of the recommendations. The implementation of these recommendations have the potential to increase the City’s cost recovery for the provision of appraisal services and further improve overall management effectiveness and efficiency of Appraisal Services.
Background Information
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2013/au/bgrd/backgroundfile-55750.pdf
Appendix 1 - Auditor General's Report - Appraisal Services Unit - Opportunities for Improving Economy, Efficiency and Effectiveness (January 16, 2013)
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2013/au/bgrd/backgroundfile-55751.pdf
Appendix 2 - Management's Response
https://www.toronto.ca/legdocs/mmis/2013/au/bgrd/backgroundfile-55752.pdf