The belt is being tightened at the Lake Country municipal office and that means fewer employees.
The district initiated an organizational review in November and some senior management positions are being eliminated. Three individuals have been notified of changes and two have already left their duties.
“The end goal is to find realignment of the organization that meets the needs of the community,” said Alberto De Feo, chief administrative officer.
“We’ve been told (by residents) to keep taxes in check. Through this operation, we are hoping to save money.”
De Feo wouldn’t specify which administrative posts have been impacted so far, and he wouldn’t say how many other staff may leave, although union positions are also being considered.
“Some departments have more staff than other municipalities our size. Development services and administration are being looked at,” he said.
De Feo doesn’t believe the restructuring process is creating poor morale among the 65 employees.
“We’ve been discussing this since June and I’ve interviewed each staff member. There is a desire for change,” he said.
“We’ve been operating the same since incorporation (1995).”
Mayor James Baker supports the organizational review.
“We want to see if we can gain efficiencies,” said Baker, adding that reduced costs and new sources of revenue must be found instead of raising taxes.
A report on organizational structure will be made public in mid-April.
“Any time there are changes, it’s distressing but all of our staff are really good and if there are changes, they will be highly recommended,” said Baker.
The next stage of the organizational review will look at contracted services and value for money of those services.
“We will look at whether we can do them better in-house or continue do them from outside,” said Baker.
The district will also look at streamlining approval processes to encourage development as a way of expanding the tax base.
“We’ve heard that the way we do business in these areas is cumbersome,” said De Feo.
