Joint Ops costs are “out of control”, says Reader

March 12, 2014 · 1 Comments

(Re: Aurora signs off on next phase of $26M Joint Ops Centre)

A few weeks ago at the invitation of the Town to the citizens, I attended an open house at the Works Department facility at 9 Scanlon Court where there was a presentation and information provided regarding the building of the new Joint Operations Centre.
At this event, it was clearly presented that the estimated construction budget was $19.8M and I received an information pamphlet indicating exactly that figure, plus $4M for land purchase.
If memory serves me correctly, the $19.8M figure is an increase of some $5M, up from the original estimated budget of $14.8M. And it has always been my understanding that the original cost estimate of $14.8M was a total estimate of building and land costs.
In The Auroran of March 6, I now read that this facility will now cost $26M. This amounts to a $6.2M difference, which I assume is for the land purchase.
But if the land purchase cost as indicated in their information pamphlet is $4M, what is the increase of some $2.2M for? I would appreciate a little clarification on this point as I’m sure other Aurora taxpayers might. It would appear to me that perhaps costs are out of control.

William Rogers
Aurora

(Editor’s Note: In the video presentation, the balance was attributed to engineering costs to address topographical issues on the new site)

Anthony Pullano says:

I am not against the new JOC.
There are a few things that could be changed but as a whole,I like the project.
It will better serve the growing needs of Aurora today and the future.

However,I question the optics of the matter and how a $26,000,000 expenditure, -the largest in Aurora’s history; seems to have little public input or awareness of the actual financial implications to Aurora tax payers.
The Item on Council Agenda seems to be hidden ( buried) with misleading wording. That’s what I question.

I attended the Council meeting.
Clear bags and a $300 Town Park rental fee ( for the Band Shell) was discussed for hours.
But,the elephant in the room, -the JOC matter, came up at 11 pm (?) and rushed because of the late hour and spoken to for 10 minutes.(?)

The only public present was myself and the Auroran news people.
No other citizens ( other than Council) was present on a $26,000.000 project that was passed for Tender.(?)

The Item was rushed through.
I read the agenda item and I read it as it was to be brought forward for further (public) discussion.

So the item It did not raise any immediate concern to me; -until I discovered it was really a done deal for Tender.
This to me raises questions,
and it should also raise questions to you (the Aurora public.) as to why the Item was buried and why the wording was so misleading.

After all, the dollar costs etc. can be candy coated and turned any way you want; but at the end of the day, hard working Aurorans have pay the property tax piper for the implementation of this new JOC.
That’s not political spin, that’s kitchen table economics and the reality of the matter.

As I said,I am not opposed to the new JOC.
I oppose the method and optics as to how the JOC project is being rammed through without proper public representation and discussion at Council.

To me, optics, transparency and accountability on Council is paramount over and above the dollar-cost argument.

Anthony Pullano

11:41 am on March 13, 2014

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