Swift Current’s pandemic staffing plan will impact 105 positions
He noted that key operations and seasonal city work will continue as usual, including the annual street cleaning program.
“We can’t afford to let all the sand and gravel wash down into our storm system and impact drainage around the community, so they will be cleaning the streets moving forward just like we normally do as the weather changes.”
The city-owned Chinook Golf Course, which is currently on the list of non-essential businesses and as of now would not be opening for the start of the golf season, will be prepared for when COVID-19 restrictions are reduced.
“As we move forward we expect that it will be (open). So work that needs to be done to bring the course to being in playable shape we intend to perform. That’s also part of repurposing some of the staff to that facility in order to do that.”
City Council has also reviewed the staffing plan and Mayor Denis Perrault noted he is confident that the staff needed to carry out the City’s services are in place.
“As a Council, we are pleased that we are able to move some of our staff to different areas within our day-to-day operations where we are not bringing seasonal help on board at this time,” Mayor Perrault stated in a press release. “I’m grateful to our Administrative team for completing this review and for their commitment to ensuring that we continue to serve the public during this challenging situation. As we all know, things have been changing quite rapidly during this pandemic, and we’ll be prepared to review and revise as things do change, and that goes for our operations, how efficient we can be, and for the capital side of things as well.”
Both Perrault and Marcus noted that the city has been challenged to be adaptable while adjusting to the realities of the COVID19 pandemic.
“The one constant throughout this situation has been change,” said Perrault. “From Council to Administration to our entire team of staff, we’re all adapting to things as they change, as are our citizens and our businesses, and I think it’s a testament to our community that, together, we have met each new challenge head on and demonstrated resilience and support for one another.”