County councillors learn about relationship with chief administrative officer during orientation
County receives 10 to 50 damage claims a year, new county council told
Peterborough County councillors learned more about the work of their chief administrative officer, senior leadership team as well as the upper tier municipalities’ 2019 priorities and projects during a Wednesday morning orientation meeting.
A presentation by chief administrative officer Troy Speck consumed most of the brief gathering of the 2018 to 2022 group in the council chamber at the County Court House.
Much of it focused on his role as the only county employee directly directed by council — their “minion,” he joked, displaying a photograph of himself wearing a costume to look like one of the yellow, pill-shaped animated henchmen.
Speck explained how he is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the organization, implements council decisions and establishes administrative practices and procedures to carry out council decisions, for example.
He also acts as chief policy adviser to council on policy matters, is the primary internal spokesperson and represents the county’s interests on committees and in regional organizations, Speck added. He broke down the workload; about 50 per cent for municipal administration, 25 per cent for policy advisory, 15 per cent for strategic management and liaison and 10 per cent for senior management team responsibilities.
Speck also highlighted the difference in authority between a private- and public-sector CAO, including how he must work within parameters of policy set by council.
He introduced county leadership, including corporate projects and services director Sheridan Graham, finance director/ treasurer Trena DeBruijn, human resources director Patti Kraft, paramedics Chief Randy Mellow and acting public works director Bryan Weir.
Speck also provided updates on the personnel front: first interviews were held this week for the infrastructure position and a second round will begin next week. Former director Chris Bradley left the county last October.
Initial interviews will also begin next week for Kraft’s position — she will be in the role for just over two more months,
Speck said.
The top administrator also spoke about feedback gleaned from a staff survey in which better co-operation between departments and improved interaction/ communication in departments were sought, for example.
The management team brainstormed core values and objectives in categories such as strategic direction, financial management, policy and procedure development, organizational culture, protect and promote county interests and effective communication.
Speck also addressed the 100day report he completed last year, its recommendations and how the new council will look at them before having their own discussions about what they believe their strategic priorities will be for the next four years.
He also highlighted 2019 priorities and projects, like reviewing, planning and renegotiating the consolidated municipal service management agreement with the city and possible sale of the county administrative facility and purchase/development of a new site.
Speck also reminded councillors about the 2019 budget process and the dates of upcoming special meetings.
Councillors will get budget binders for review next Wednesday before hearing a budget presentation on Jan. 30. A budget review will be held Feb. 13 with another review, and possible approval, scheduled for Feb. 28.
Graham also briefly spoke about the county’s risk management practices, including how to first direct any resident with a damage claim to the county website at ptbocounty.ca/ riskmanagement .
The county gets anywhere from 10 to 50 claims a year, she said.