The results of a core services review being rolled out to Common Council as part of the 2013 budget process.
The Mayor and councillors are learning the fire department has a high level of staffing but response times are below the industry standard.
One possible explanation is that the city’s land area is so large. Council has been told it might be a good idea not to respond to medical calls in the rural outskirts of the city.
Council has also been told City Police have a high level of staffing as compared to other cities because of employing fewer civilian employees. Todd MacDonald of Performance Concepts Consulting credits intelligence led policing for reducing the severity of crime in the city and having a good record in clearing cases.
He also describes Saint John Transit as operating more efficiently than bus service in other cities, at a lower cost and with a higher ridership but that could be adversely affected by a rate hike.
