From Patchwork to Playbook: Building a Municipal Accountability Framework

How We Got There

The Challenge

The municipality engaged Optimus SBR to develop an accountability framework that would guide how it oversees, collaborates with, and supports its network of ABCs, while ensuring each ABC remains accountable to Council.

The Solution

We began by engaging leaders from ABCs and joint ventures to document current accountability practices, reporting channels, and support arrangements. A series of workshops with the senior leaders explored alternative structures, tested their implications for departments such as Finance, IT, and Facilities, and weighed trade-offs between accountability, risk, and the degree of independence of the ABCs. Through iterative design and feedback loops, we crafted a model that aligned ABC classification with a tiered, risk-based approach to agreements.

The Results

The new accountability framework provides a durable foundation for future agreements. By articulating guiding principles and embedding proportional oversight based on risk and other factors, the municipality can now mitigate reputational, legal, and financial exposure while maximizing the value of its partnerships.