A recent audit has revealed that Halifax is lacking proper oversight of its municipal facilities and equipment, potentially leading to safety risks and unnecessary expenses. The facility management report presented by the city’s auditor general highlighted deficiencies in Halifax’s property, fleet, and environment department’s facility management practices. The audit identified gaps in data collection and monitoring of the city’s 359 facilities and over 7,000 pieces of equipment.
According to the report, management lacks information on the condition of most Halifax-owned buildings and equipment, as well as the extent of overdue maintenance, due to inconsistent facility assessments. The audit disclosed that 96 buildings, including 43 over 25 years old, had never been assessed, and 91 facilities had not been reassessed for more than a decade.
Auditor General Andrew Atherton emphasized the challenge of making informed decisions about building maintenance without knowing their condition, expressing concerns about potential hidden costs and safety issues. The audit warned that undetected building defects could result in unforeseen replacement expenses and safety hazards.
While management has initiated efforts to address the building assessment shortcomings by hiring a consultant to assess all municipal facilities over the next five years, gaps persist in documenting building conditions post-construction or renovation. The audit also highlighted instances of inadequate maintenance scheduling and missing warranty information for equipment, potentially leading to unnecessary repair costs.
Halifax has accepted all 12 audit recommendations aimed at enhancing planning, oversight, and data collection for better facility management. The city’s chief administrative officer stressed the importance of implementing these recommendations to ensure efficient service delivery, safe facilities, and responsible use of public funds.
Management committed to seeking new staffing roles in the upcoming city budget to implement the audit recommendations effectively. Atherton underscored the necessity for council to address staffing deficiencies identified in audits to ensure reliable facility management practices.