Norfolk County providing an official update regarding the new illuminated Norfolk sign that was unveiled during the Simcoe Christmas Panorama.
In a release, it notes that staff have heard concerns from Council and residents and are committed to addressing them head-on and provided information for transparency.
Essentially, it’s a similar story that Councillor Adam Veri told the public in a post recently, that council had approved a stationary sign but staff, looking into the matter post meeting, determined a new mobile sign would offer more benefits – finding funding from the province to offset some of the cost for the sign.
With that, the report notes that as the project scope changed, staff did not update Council, and now they are reviewing associated policies and procedures, updating our staff training programs, and enhancing onboarding processes for new staff.
The full information released from staff can be found here:
- During the 2023 capital budget process, Council approved a new stationary sign for $46,000.
- As staff performed a cost-benefit analysis and reviewed the facts of the initially approved sign project scope, it was determined that a new mobile sign would offer significant advantages to the sign originally proposed and approved.
- Staff proceeded on the basis that the total cost of the new sign would provide significant savings, as it would be eligible for a grant to reduce the costs. The mobile sign would also offer additional flexibility and return on investment. With the grant, the total cost for the new sign will be approximately $23,000, with the balance of surplus funds ($23,000) returned to reserves.
- As the project scope changed, staff did not update Council, and as a result, Council was not aware of the change in project scope and the associated cost-benefit analysis.
- To help improve operational efficiencies and communications, Norfolk is reviewing associated policies and procedures, updating our staff training programs, and enhancing onboarding processes for new staff.
Written by Matt LeBlanc
