OLDS — The municipality could have a newly-created planning and infrastructure sub-department, possibly as soon as 2024.
Town council passed a resolution to that effect during its Jan. 23 meeting.
The move, recommended by a staffing review undertaken last fall, would move the town’s land use planning and infrastructure functions into one sub-department of its overall operations department.
It would result in the creation of a manager of Planning and Infrastructure and Geographic Information System (GIS) coordinator position.
“An internal shuffle will occur to fill the manager position and (the) GIS position will remain unfunded for the foreseeable future,” a town document contained in council’s agenda said.
As he introduced the idea, chief administrative officer Brent Williams said the move would cost about $12,000 a year. However, because the 2023 budget has already been passed, it won’t be implemented this year, as no funds are earmarked for it.
“It will bring together engineering and planning functions, which, in the opinion of the report and something that I share as well, has been a weak spot in the town for quite a while,” Williams said.
“If we had better oversight and expertise working together, we would have a better idea of capital project planning and long-term infrastructure and land use plans.
“And on top of that, hopefully a better stream to coordinate infrastructure needs with our long-term financial plans as well, and therefore, budgets.”
A document prepared by administrative staff echoed that thought.
“The Town of Olds has struggled for many years with various infrastructure processes, including managing capital projects, actioning infrastructure master plans, and coordinating infrastructure needs into long-term financial planning,” it said.
"As council is well aware, the CAO has the authority to hire people but does not have authority to create new positions; that is council’s domain, so that’s why this recommendation is being brought forward,” Williams said.
