Several District of Sechelt departments put staffing requests to council as part of an ongoing review of operating budgets for 2021.
A total of six full-time equivalent (FTE) requests were made at the Feb. 10 committee of the whole meeting.
Heading into those presentations, the general operating fund stood at a deficit of $732,043, taking into account increases to utilities, wage increases, and an added $74,713 in one-time costs for RCMP, as well as a new member at $130,000.
The human resources department requested a safety coordinator and HR assistant, with the HR assistant a priority, according to manager Lindsay Roberts, who said comparably sized organizations “have that and more.”
Among requests by Julie Rogers, communications manager, was for an administrative assistant to support communications, council, arts and culture and community services.
Financial services director David Douglas requested two FTEs – one to take on payroll or accounts payable and a procurement officer.
A request was made by the information technology department to hire a full-time technical support specialist.
According to Douglas, there are approximately 78 employees at the district.
During discussion, Coun. Brenda Rowe requested a rundown of how departments have grown in relation to what they’ve been tasked with by council, and for staff counts compared to similarly-sized communities.
Department-specific budget presentations are set to continue for planning and development, parks and public works, engineers, bylaws, as well as external organizations including the RCMP, library and Sunshine Coast Tourism.
