One new town position is a go, while another has been referred to October.
During the July 31 special meeting of council, councillors voted to approve a request from the chief administrative officer, Sonya Skinner’s, to re-jig some existing staff resources to create a new full-time transit co-ordinator position for the town. Council, however, voted to refer another request for a full-time public works management position to October so councillors can consider the request with the first draft of the 2024 budget.
“I know that adding staff resources is always a difficult decision for council,” said Skinner. “I want to remind the public what council and staff are facing – which is a really large amount of engineering, environmental services and public works coming within the next 10 years.”
Skinner pointed to the water treatment plant expansion as one example of many projects that need to be undertaken within the department.
“I didn't ask for this position when requesting the 2023 budget and in retrospect, I fully admit that I should have asked for this,” she said.
For the new public works, engineering and environmental services position, the estimated salary range is $166,296 to $188,925.
The town’s engineering division is currently comprised of six staff. That staff is responsible to deliver more than $20 million in capital spending in 2023 and approve and facilitate development-driven infrastructure and residential growth, while also keeping up town infrastructure. The division also provides input into all development applications and is responsible for site monitoring, registration, release of securities and liaising with adjacent neighbourhoods.
In 2021, the town issued 780 building permits – its highest number ever.
During 2023 budget deliberations, council approved a part-time transit co-ordinator position, the salary of which will be combined with the one-third of a full-time position that already exists within the department assigned to transit, and one part-time seasonal public works position to make up a new full-time co-ordinator of community transit role.
For that role, the total salary is expected to be about $112,000.
The full-time position would provide more direct oversight, support and management of the third-party transit provider (including service audits) and would take a lead on a more regional approach to transit services (including Town of Blue Mountain, Clearview and Wasaga Beach, and County of Simcoe transit), integration with active transportation and lead the research and development of fleet electrification.
During Monday’s meeting, Coun. Christopher Baines said he agreed with Skinner that clarity comes with the benefit of hindsight.
“I agree that there were a lot of should-haves in the past,” said Baines. “Having said that, I really think both of these investments will improve our performance in dealing with our public and with developers.”
Coun. Kathy Jeffery said she felt uncomfortable approving the request without the entire budget in mind.
“This is really a hard one for me,” she said. “I agree with what needs to be done, but I think it needs to be done in the greater context of the full financial picture.”
Coun. Chris Potts said he was not in support.
“We want to hire and pad the senior management. I feel that there are other areas of the town where we can be putting more boots in the ground,” he said.
Coun. Rob Ring said, for him, it was an issue of timing.
“It was just five months ago that we approved the budget and there was nothing said at that time,” he said. “I'm not saying that anybody erred, but I don't know how we went from not even talking about it five months ago to it being urgent now.”
Coun. Deb Doherty reminded council that Collingwood is one of the fastest-growing communities in Canada.
“We have a sophisticated public and a development and business community that has high expectations for a level of service,” she said.
Doherty also expressed the importance of the transit role with the town moving toward its on-demand transit service.
“It needs somebody at the helm running it and making sure that it's a success,” she said.
Coun. Brandon Houston asked what the implications would be if council did not approve the new positions.
Skinner noted the delay could mean trickle-down delays in key public works projects, including the new water treatment plant, the transportation master plan and the storm water management plan.
Proposing compromise, Jeffery asked if the public works staff request could be deferred until the first 2024 budget information was prepared, which is expected in October.
“I don’t know what we can gain by waiting,” said Mayor Yvonne Hamlin. “This is the reality of where I think we are right now and I certainly appreciate if people want to wait to budget, but I don't think that's wise for our community right now.”
At the end of discussions, council voted 6-3 in favour of referring a decision on the public works position until October in-line with the first draft of the 2024 budget, with Hamlin, Doherty and Baines opposed.
Council voted 7-2 in favour of approving the transit co-ordinator position, with Deputy Mayor Tim Fryer and Potts opposed.
