The format of the township’s management committee has been revised.
Council approved the new format on Nov. 10.
Under the previous structure the CAO chaired a management committee, which also included the directors of finance and public works, the chief building official, the fire chief, the business development and marketing coordinator and the mayor.
The new structure recommended by CAO Brad McRoberts sees the committee split into two entities.
A senior management team, which will meet weekly, will include the CAO, finance director and public works director. The senior management team will review and provide feedback on all procedures and functions of the township and ensure the procedural manual is kept up to date and consistent with legislative requirements. The group will also review the status of budgets.
A separate management team, also chaired by the CAO, will include the fire chief, manager of public works, chief building official, deputy treasurer, deputy clerk, business development and marketing coordinator, and manager of facilities. This group will meet monthly to review and discuss ongoing issues and provide updates on assigned tasks, departmental work plans, projects, and related budget concerns.
The management team will also provide input on township procedures for consideration of the senior management team.
“The above revisions will allow for more productive use of staff’s time while ensuring accountability,” McRoberts states his report.
“While the revisions formally remove the mayor from these meetings, the mayor can and will meet weekly, or more frequently as required, with the CAO to discuss any issues. It will be the responsibility of the CAO to ensure appropriate action is taken or direction obtained from council as required.”
McRoberts told council the management team meetings will be “a little more inclusive to include some of the middle management staff and give them an opportunity to bring issues forward on a monthly basis.”
Councillor Dennis Craven asked if the mayor and councillors “would be welcome to attend” management meetings “without being able to comment.”
“While I don’t think it’s necessary, I certainly wouldn’t object to it,” said McRoberts. He explained “staff work for the CAO and the CAO works for council and keeping to that structure is probably best.”
The report containing the new structure was approved unopposed.
