Emergency services manager leaving June 15

Dale Kronebusch picked date ‘some time ago,’ as most years the danger from spring freshet has passed by then

The man leading the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen’s flood response has tendered his resignation effective June 15.

Emergency services supervisor Dale Kronebusch said in a statement Wednesday he picked that date some time ago because most years the danger of the spring freshet has passed by mid-June. He did not offer a reason for his resignation.

Kronebusch will become the latest in a series of high-ranking officials to leave the organization.

Chief administrative officer Bill Newell said community services manager Mark Woods previously held the emergency services supervisor position and will fill in for Kronebusch before a permanent replacement is hired.

“The regional district has a robust structure to support our citizens in the face of emergencies or disasters and we’re confident we’ll continue to be able to perform that role as we replace this important position,” Newell said in a statement Wednesday.

“The regional district has benefited from its association with Dale over the past eight years and we wish him well in his future endeavours.”

Other recent departures from the RDOS include finance manager Sandy Croteau and public works manager Roger Huston, both of whom were replaced.

In February, the RDOS board voted to award $77,000 in raises to 14 non-unionized staff members as a result of a recent wage survey that found they were falling behind their public-sector peers elsewhere in the Southern Interior.