More corporate restructuring is underway at Sarnia City Hall.
Chief Administrative Officer Chris Carter and senior management have decided to realign the parks and recreation portfolio with the upcoming retirement of director Rob Harwood.
Carter said it will be combined with the Community Development Services and Standards Division, renamed the Community Services Division, and General Manager Stacey Forfar will oversee it.
"What we're trying to do is look at how we increase service delivery for the residents and provide a higher level of customer service and at the same time, look at reducing any deficiencies and implementing some further program measures, that will assist with the service delivery for our residents," said Carter.
Earlier this year, the finance department was merged with information technology [IT], customer service, human resources, emergency management and communications to form a new corporate services department.
General Manager David Logan joined the city in April to run that department.
"We have a great amount of synergies working amongst departments and working together instead of having the silo effect. We want to condense some of the departments and have a higher level of service delivery while everyone works together closely and collectively for the betterment of the services that we provide."
Further changes may be in the works in emergency management.
Carter said Ron RealeSmith was hired as acting emergency planner following the retirement of Cal Gardner, and some support may be hired to help comply with new rules and regulations.
"It would be very minor," said Carter. "Maybe ten hours a week, just to assist with some of the behind the scenes administrative work."
Carter said while there have been no changes to the legal, clerks, fire and engineering structures, the engineering division has been renamed engineering and operations, and David Jackson's title has changed to general manager.