THUNDER BAY — The city will consolidate its organizational structure in a shift city administration says will bring operational savings.
The organizational restructuring will see administration shrink from five to four departments, combining infrastructure and operations with development and emergency services to form a new infrastructure, development and operations department.
The new department will be headed by general manager Kerri Marshall, currently head of infrastructure and operations.
Other remaining departments include the city manager’s office, corporate services, and community services, though some services and responsibilities will be reshuffled.
Long-term care, for example, will be overseen by community services, rather than the corporate services department.
City manager Norm Gale said the restructuring is intended to “realize efficiencies” and help respond to city council’s direction to find over $2 million in staffing and service cuts by the end of the year.
“When setting the 2023 City Budget, city council directed me to identify significant budget savings and provide a report back to them in June,” he said in a statement. “By end of 2023, at least $2.2 million of permanent reductions will need to be found through increased revenue and decreased expenses.”
Exactly how the shuffle will impact staffing, and what savings it will deliver, have not yet been detailed by the city.
“The next step in the reorganization will include engaging teams across the corporation to identify efficiencies,” said Gale. “Every option is being explored. I am grateful to all staff for their expertise, commitment and continued reliable work to deliver vital programs and services in our community.”
The city stated the retirement of general manager of corporate services and long-term care Linda Evans in February prompted “led to consideration” of the structural changes.
The new structure and corresponding employee transfers will take effect on July 4, the city said.
Other changes include renaming the finance division the office of the city treasurer, with that position now reporting to the GM of corporate services.
Having Thunder Bay Fire Rescue under the new infrastructure, development and operations department “recognizes the increased focus on emergency planning and preparedness for climate change as well as the connection with building services,” staff said in a release.
Community strategies and sustainability staff will transfer to the city manager’s office, a move administration said would bring strategic planning under one umbrella.
The changes were approved by city council on Monday, the city said.
