Vancouver Services Review
The Vancouver Services Review (VSR) project came about in response to council's direction to the City Manager to review the City’s businesses, service delivery practices and general operations in order to ensure the best value and services for our tax payers.
The VSR project focused on service priorities and identified 800 unique opportunities to change the way services are delivered. We have built on a number of those suggestions in our budget plan and our VSR initiatives are built on these oportunities.
View opportunity log 
(306 kb)
Responsibility of the City Manager's Office
The City Manager's Office oversees the overall conduct of the City administration in pursuing the City's purpose, and serving City Council. The City Manager's Office:
- Reviews departmental programs, budgets, and policy initiatives
- Makes recommendations to City Council
- Ensures that Council's directives are carried out (in consultation with Council and departments)
- Establishes standards and priorities for the civic administration
- Motivates and monitors performance to ensure that standards are met, priorities are pursued, and high-quality City services are consistently delivered
- Manages a continuing organizational development program to ensure good communication between departments and coordinates efforts to address City priorities
Role of the City Manager
Appointed by City Council, the City Manager is responsible to Council for the execution of Council's decisions and the work of all City departments. The City Manager also works closely with three other boards over which Council has budget control: Vancouver Library, Vancouver Police, and Vancouver Parks and Recreation.
Mayor and Council
The City Manager (or delegate) attends all meetings of Council and its committees and may speak to matters under discussion. The Manager may originate written reports to Council and its committees, as well as those generated by departments, and is available to the Mayor and individual Councillors for informal discussions.
Annual budget
The Manager coordinates the preparation of an annual budget for submission to Council, and exercises some discretion over budget administration.
City departments
The City Manager reviews the performance of each department with the general manager of the department, assisting the general manager with problems in the department or in inter-departmental initiatives.
[top]