Corporate Services

The Corporate Services Department is responsible for four service areas: financial services; property tax assessment, budgeting and financial reporting; purchasing and risk management; and information technology. The managers who head each of these divisions report to the director, who sets the course for the department, and provides a level of advice and support to the municipality that is typically associated with the role of chief financial officer.

The Financial Services Division is responsible for the utilities, accounting, and lottery licensing functions, in accordance with established legislation and by-laws. Employees in this division track and report the City’s revenues, expenditures, assets and liabilities in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP). They also provide reception services and information to the public on a wide range of issues.

The manager of Taxation, Budgeting and Evaluation Division analyzes the financial data and program performance information provided by all City departments in order to produce the annual budget and provide periodic financial reports. It is through this multi-year budget process that Council sets its priorities and plans for major capital projects. The process helps the City to ensure that, in the course of providing services to the public, Council’s direction is implemented and costs controlled.

The Purchasing and Risk Management Division ensures that goods and services are acquired according to policies and procedures that protect the interests of the City. The division manages procurement, inventory/stores, insurance and liability coverage and the corporate printer services. The manager oversees the Request for Proposal and tendering processes, as well as the issuance of Visa procurement cards through which City staff purchase goods and services.

The Information Technology Division is responsible for computerized equipment and software, the corporate phone system, network support, user support and web sites. Through the City’s web site, the public can find information on assessments, property taxes and utilities; set up and pay accounts; review program offerings; check facility availability; and apply for lottery licenses. As a result of this division’s work, City staff are able to access more than 50 computer applications to deliver service and information to the public, not only in Yellowknife, but around the world.

AWARDS

Every year since 1995, the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) has honoured the City of Yellowknife with its Distinguished Budget Presentation award. This award acknowledges a budget that meets GFOA criteria as a policy document, an operations guide, a financial plan, and a communications device. The association has also recognized the City of Yellowknife annually since 1996 with its Canadian Award for Financial Reporting.

In 2004, the City of Yellowknife's Information Technology Division was awarded a Gold Medal for innovative e-government within municipalities.  The award recognizes leadership, innovation and excellence in enabling and managing e-government within the public sector.  The GTEC Week Distinction Awards are the most prestigious and highly coveted awards for managing information and information technology in the public sector in Canada.

The Diamond Software company honoured the Information Technology Division in 2004 with its Award of Excellence for online service delivery, the use of software to evaluate financial data, and the implementation of a major software initiative within tight timeframes. The company also praised the City’s ground-breaking work in integrating the Diamond and Class software products.