An operational review of the Municipality of Meaford's structure that council was demanding just a couple months ago was put on the back burner Monday night after the majority of council combined to defeat a recommendation from CAO Frank Miele to hire a consultant to help prepare the long-awaited report.

Miele brought forward a verbal report about the operational review at Monday night's regular meeting. In his report Miele recommended the Municipality of Meaford engage consulting firm KPMG at a cost of $20,000 to help prepare the all encompassing review of municipality's services, structure and staffing levels.

After the 2009 budget was set, council made the operational review Miele's number one priority and demanded results be made available in September. As a result Miele has been fast tracking the review process. The CAO has already produced Terms of Reference for the review, has engaged members of the community to assist and on Monday requested support for the hiring of a consulting firm.

The cost of the consultants recommended by Miele came in at $5,000 more than the $15,000 budgeted by the municipality for the job. Miele said KPMG is a world-renowned firm with plenty of experience. Several firms bid on the project with the lowest price (which did not meet municipal specifications) coming in at $15,000 and the highest price was $45,000.

"It's a bit over budget, but staff will endeavour to negotiate something closer to the budget," Miele explained. "The firm will play a major role in the operational review," said Miele.

The CAO wasn't even given a chance by council to try and mitigate the extra costs. In a decision that left several jaws in the council chamber hanging in disbelief a majority of council combined to defeat the CAO's recommendation in a 4-3 vote. Councillors Gerald Shortt, Jim McPherson and Harley Greenfield (the three members of council that were most vocal in their demands for staff and service reductions during the budget process) received surprise support from Mayor Francis Richardson in order to defeat Miele's recommendation.

"We'll have to come back with Plan B," said Mayor Richardson after the vote was taken.

The result of the vote appeared to flabbergast the members of council that supported Miele's resolution. Councillor Cynthia Lemon pointed out that council had made the operational review the number one priority for staff. She said council now appears to be turning its back on that commitment.

"This has been identified as an ongoing need for three years now. We can't afford to have any questions about this report. This is huge. This is a fundamental need. I will take the darts over the extra $5,000," said Lemon.

CAO Miele took the defeat of his recommendation in stride. He said the vote by council leaves the operational review in limbo. When asked what the municipality's next step on the matter will be, Miele had only a one word response.

"Delay," he said matter-of-factly. "I made verbal report to council to speed up the process. I thought the recommendation was logical. It's important for the municipality to have the right consultant for this. All I can do is give (council) my professional advice," said the CAO.