RMOW completes organizational structure review
July 17, 2012: Whistler, BC – The Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW) presented the outcomes of its two-phased organizational structure review at the council meeting on July 17. Phase two of the review will see the elimination of three staff positions and the reclassification of four positions to lower pay scales. This follows phase one changes announced in February 2012, when the total number of divisions and general managers in the organization was reduced from five to three.
The organizational structure review changes will result in an estimated annual savings of a half-million dollars for the organization.
The review was led by Chief Administrative Officer Mike Furey, who engaged all managers in the phase two work. The focus was on changes that will produce annual savings. Reductions in staff have been realized through the most cost effective manner with the least impact on operations and services.
“I’d like to acknowledge the excellent work done by staff through this review,” said Mayor Nancy Wilhelm-Morden. “Council identified in our Council Action Plan that staff review and streamline the management structure at the division and department level. The outcomes strike a balance between ensuring we are able to continue deliver quality services while achieving efficiencies.”
The eliminated positions include one of the organization’s two assistant fire chief positions, a purchasing agent, and a building inspector. The reclassified positions include the manager, fiscal planning; a senior engineering technologist; the manager, development services; and the manager, community planning. These changes, along with the reduction from five to three general managers this winter, represent annual estimated savings of $510,858. Over the municipality’s five-year financial planning period this will produce savings in excess of $2.5 million.
“The review was part of a broader ongoing goal of determining how to best deliver municipal services and sound management to residents and guests in the most fiscally responsible way, while reflecting the trends, environment and changing needs facing the organization and the community at large,” said Mike Furey. “Although the formal organizational structure review is complete, the RMOW is committed to ongoing review of its programs and services to ensure effective operations in our work on behalf of the resort community.”
The organizational structure review follows a service review that was conducted from winter 2010/2011 through fall 2011. The service review included a review of the organization’s largest departments/divisions (at that time)—Community Life, Environmental Services and Park Operations. It looked at ways to reduce net operating expenditures as well as to sharpen the focus on core services and resulted in a reduction of the equivalent of 14 full-time employees.
Click here to see the RMOW organizational structure.
