The Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) will be without its pencil-sharp number cruncher as it begins the arduous, three-month long process to establish this year's budget.
Joan Merrick, manager of corporate services, is leaving the SCRD to take on the role of chief administrative officer at the Skeena-Queen Charlotte Regional District later this month.
Merrick joined the SCRD in 1999 in the payroll department, became a financial analyst three years later, treasurer in 2006 and general manager of corporate services in the summer of 2009.
Merrick said one of the highlights of her career at the SCRD is winning a number of Canadian awards for financial reporting for accountability, transparency and best practice accounting,
"Six so far. We're hoping for 2009 as well, which should be announced soon, so that would make it seven," Merrick said.
Also on the list of high points is the board's financial sustainability plan - a set of guidelines that helps the board plan prudently for the financial future including setting aside reserves for capital cost and using the successful zero-based budgeting process.
"My biggest hope is that they will continue with implementing the financial sustainability policy. They made great strides last year. It's still going to be a really challenging year or couple of years ahead, but stick to the policy and see that through," Merrick said, offering advice to the current board.
Merrick said the biggest challenge the SCRD faces is near constant growth in the scope of government including expansions into recreation and Dakota Ridge and extending water services.
Like many who leave their post, Merrick is of mixed emotions about her departure.
"I'm really going to be sad to leave the Regional District and I was looking forward to spending the next four years or so continuing to work on the financial sustainability policy and some of the other things that we've got on the go. I'm going to miss that. At the same time, I'm really excited for a new set of challenges," she said.
