Council approves three OBMs

By Al Beeber - Lethbridge Herald on December 13, 2024.

LETHBRIDGE HERALDabeeber@lethbridgeherald.com

City council on Tuesday passed three official business motions.

A motion put forward by Acting Mayor Jeff Carlson regarding the Pay As You Go plan for Utility-funded projects passed unanimously.

His motion called on council to “direct Administration to draft a policy to implement a Pay As You Go program to fund utility-supported capital projects for future projects with long-term benefits, major rehabilitation or upgrades to existing assets, and emerging requirements to support corporate or regulatory priorities and strategic plans” and that the new policy be presented to council for consideration by the end of the second quarter of 2025.

A motion by councillor Belinda Crowson on an asset management policy also passed unanimously.

That motion called on council to direct administration to draft an asset management strategy that “defines the corporation’s high-level, long-term approach” and present it to the Economic and Finance Standing Policy Committee – which includes all council members – by the second quarter of 2025.

The motion states that asset management is critical to effective planning as well as maintaining and operating infrastructure on both short- and long-term basis.

A motion co-sponsored by Carlson and Crowson regarding approvals of full-time equivalent positions passed by a 5-3 motion with Mayor Blaine Hyggen along with councillors Jenn Schmidt-Rempel and Ryan Parker opposed.

That motion stated that the past practice of the City seeking council approval of FTE positions “adds a layer to the administrative process of hiring employees, thereby decreasing Administration’s ability to make employment decisions in the most efficient and timely manner possible” and that administration needs to be empowered to meet or exceed service level expectations established by council and city citizens in a cost-effective manner.

Their motion said the City Manager’s approval of FTEs would enhance the efficiency of hiring people into permanent positions rather than term positions when their services are required on an ongoing basis” and notes it’s typically more difficult to attract and retain the most qualified people for term positions than for permanent ones.

“City Manager approval of FTEs would significantly enhance the organization’s ability

to adapt to meet service level targets in the most cost- and operationally effective manner possible,” says the motion which calls on council to clarify and confirm that the City Manager has authority to make staffing decisions and approve FTEs.

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