Four months after mutually agreeing to part ways with Kathleen Soltis, Prince George officials are looking to hire the next full-time city manager.
In September 2020, the 34-year tenured employee left city staff as controversy began to stir on big-cost projects, like the George Street Parkade and the new Fire Hall No. 1, causing public concern about the millions of dollars in over-spending.
Since her departure, General Manager of Administrative Services Walter Babicz took over as acting city manager while General Manager of Planning and Development Ian Wells was named acting deputy city manager.
In a statement today (Jan. 29), city council is said to be leading the search, in conjunction with JB Consultants Inc., which would see the city manager as the chief administrative officer (CAO).
Key notes of the position are as follows:
- Work collaboratively with council to implement a vision for the community and the City’s strategic priorities
- Accountable for the operation of all municipal services
- Oversee a staff of 750 exempt and unionized employees with a total budget of $250 million
On Monday (Jan. 25), Mayor Lyn Hall spoke with the media regarding the George Street Parkade, which is currently budgeted at $34.16 million to complete as opposed to its original $12.6 million in 2018.
The city is launching a legal review of the project.
“It’s obvious that there were serious and unacceptable shortcomings in project structure and processes, oversight and information sharing on the parkade project. Bottom line: risk was not managed adequately,” said Hall earlier this week, adding any disciplinary actions towards senior staff are premature until all of the facts are known.
“That is […] the work we are going to go through to determine where those shortfalls landed and why information wasn’t passed along.”
The job-posting also comes two days after Prince George city councillors delayed its decision on either a zero, one or two per cent tax levy for 2021 to the next scheduled public meeting on Feb. 8.
Application deadline for the city manager position is Feb. 26, 2021, and more information is posted on the city’s website.
The opportunity’s description is as follows:
In addition to possessing considerable knowledge and hands-on experience in local government operations, the preferred candidate will have proven senior leadership skills which have been developed through working collaboratively with elected and other government officials, building solid community relationships and partnerships and leading and mentoring diverse and multi-disciplined professional staff teams.
The City Manager must have a strong commitment to public service values. Well-developed and demonstrated interpersonal, communication and adaptability skills, combined with a dedication to the community and to the region, will be critical.
- with files from Hanna Petersen, PrinceGeorgeMatters
