Acting city manager Walter Babicz has shaken up the city's senior administration, eliminating six management and four unionized positions.
The move was part of a reorganization of the city's administration structure to reduce costs, Babicz said in an email.
"This week, the city eliminated six exempt/management positions (one will be refilled) and four CUPE positions (one of the CUPE positions was vacant but will now not be filled). This was part of implementing a new organizational structure that reduces the number of departments and streamlines operations in order to reduce costs," Babicz said. "Like many other municipalities, the City of Prince George is facing unprecedented financial challenges stemming from COVID-19. We have seen a dramatic loss in revenue and significant changes in how we go about our business. Beyond the revenue losses in 2020, a significant funding gap is also anticipated in 2021. Unfortunately, this fiscal reality means that we need to respond with some difficult decisions."
The names and titles of the senior administrators laid off weren't provided.
The city administration organizational chart online lists Babicz as acting city manager and Ian Wells as acting deputy city manager. However, no directors or managers are listed for the departments of administrative services; civic operations; community services and public safety; external relations; finance; fire and rescue services; human resources and corporate safety; and planning, development and infrastructure services.
The moves come after former city manager Kathleen Soltis parted ways with the city in September after a "mutual decision" by Soltis and council.
Council appointed Babicz, the city’s former general manager of administrative services, to serve as acting city manager. Wells, the former general manager of planning and development, was appointed deputy city manager.
In September, Mayor Lyn Hall said there is no immediate plan to replace Soltis.
David Wieler, president of CUPE local 1048, and Dallas McDougall, president of CUPE 399, were not immediately available for comment. CUPE 1048 represents the city's inside workers and CUPE 399 represents the city's outside workers.
