By Jennifer Smith - Vernon Morning Star
Three of Coldstream’s major staff positions are being taken on by a single force.
Michael Stamhuis is currently Coldstream’s director of engineering services, but has now been awarded the lead position of chief administrative officer. That position has been vacant since mid-December, when Wendy Kay was dismissed by council.
“I’m excited to take this on,” said Stamhuis, who will be responsible to council for the overall administration, financial management and human resource management of Coldstream.
He will also be taking on the role of director of financial administration until a replacement for Catherine Lord can be found. Lord spent her last day at work Friday.
Applications are still open for almost two weeks for Lord’s position, after which a decision will have to be made for a replacement.
It isn’t anticipated a replacement for the director of engineering services will be sought until the end of this year.
“The idea would be not to incur an expense this year,” said Keri-Ann Baggett, municipal clerk. “I think a lot of that has to do with the fact that we have a severance on the books.”
The severance pay for Kay has not yet been released.
While taking on three titles initially, and even with moving down to two later on, will have extensive time demands, Stamhuis is confident in his abilities to wear several hats.
“I’m fine with it,” said Stamhuis, adding that he is pleased to take on the CAO position.
“I’m quite capable of doing that.”
The dual responsibilities do not come with dual pay.
Stamhuis has 22 years experience working in municipalities. He served as city engineer in Prince Rupert, and in Campbell River, spent four years as general manager of community and infrastructure services at the North Okanagan Regional District and has been working at Coldstream since 2007.
“My role at NORD was largely administrative,” said Stamhuis, adding that he has also dealt with councils and budgets for years which could come in handy during the current budget deliberations.
Despite confidence in his abilities, Stamhuis says this could prove to be a difficult task.
“Right now I feel like we’re going to have some real challenges because we’re short staffed.”
But there are some factors that will benefit Coldstream’s situation.
“The one thing that we have going in our favour is development has slowed right down,” said Stamhuis, noting his engineering position will not require as much of his time.
The other thing is the dedicated group of remaining staff.
“They have really come forward in saying how can we help,” said Stamhuis. “I’m really excited to lead such a great staff.
Three of Coldstream’s major staff positions are being taken on by a single force.
Michael Stamhuis is currently Coldstream’s director of engineering services, but has now been awarded the lead position of chief administrative officer. That position has been vacant since mid-December, when Wendy Kay was dismissed by council.
“I’m excited to take this on,” said Stamhuis, who will be responsible to council for the overall administration, financial management and human resource management of Coldstream.
He will also be taking on the role of director of financial administration until a replacement for Catherine Lord can be found. Lord spent her last day at work Friday.
Applications are still open for almost two weeks for Lord’s position, after which a decision will have to be made for a replacement.
It isn’t anticipated a replacement for the director of engineering services will be sought until the end of this year.
“The idea would be not to incur an expense this year,” said Keri-Ann Baggett, municipal clerk. “I think a lot of that has to do with the fact that we have a severance on the books.”
The severance pay for Kay has not yet been released.
While taking on three titles initially, and even with moving down to two later on, will have extensive time demands, Stamhuis is confident in his abilities to wear several hats.
“I’m fine with it,” said Stamhuis, adding that he is pleased to take on the CAO position.
“I’m quite capable of doing that.”
The dual responsibilities do not come with dual pay.
Stamhuis has 22 years experience working in municipalities. He served as city engineer in Prince Rupert, and in Campbell River, spent four years as general manager of community and infrastructure services at the North Okanagan Regional District and has been working at Coldstream since 2007.
“My role at NORD was largely administrative,” said Stamhuis, adding that he has also dealt with councils and budgets for years which could come in handy during the current budget deliberations.
Despite confidence in his abilities, Stamhuis says this could prove to be a difficult task.
“Right now I feel like we’re going to have some real challenges because we’re short staffed.”
But there are some factors that will benefit Coldstream’s situation.
“The one thing that we have going in our favour is development has slowed right down,” said Stamhuis, noting his engineering position will not require as much of his time.
The other thing is the dedicated group of remaining staff.
“They have really come forward in saying how can we help,” said Stamhuis. “I’m really excited to lead such a great staff.
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