New plans for Public Works
Tara Kearsey
Northern News Services
Yellowknife (Nov 15/00) - An internal review of the city's Public Works department has resulted in a number of changes in management and operational procedures.
The departmental review began during the 2000 Budget process after city council requested a report on its operations and organizational structure.
Throughout the review, administrators discovered that more efficient operations and a better use of staff resources could save the city more than $400,000 per year.
Gary Craig, director of Public Works, said some savings were seen this year, and more would be seen in 2001.
Cost-cutting measures already taken includes the merger of the Pumphouse and the Water and Sewer Divisions, and merging the Roads and Sidewalk Division with the Baling Facility.
Through this move, two vacant foreman positions were eliminated, which will represent an annual savings of $160,000.
The department will eliminate positions through attrition and staff turnover. No layoffs are planned.
The department also estimates additional savings of $40,000 by adjusting standby and call-out procedures and reducing use of city-owned vehicles.
Public Works is also considering reducing the number of standby employees in the Pumphouse division.
Previously, two employees from each of the Water and Sewer and Roads and Sidewalks departments were on call in case of an emergency. Now, only one person from each department will be placed on stand-by at any given time.
"If we do need a second person we can just call somebody up on overtime," said Craig.
More cost reduction initiatives include less water heating during the winter, relying more on internal staffing than outside contractors, improved work planning, and less use of a diesel generator.
"Because we've reduced our water tempering over a number of years, we're essentially saving $100,000 every year compared to what it used to be," said Craig.
There are also plans for a computerized operations management system which will track all work completed by employees, and outline work that should be completed throughout the year.
"It's just better planning all around and then everybody knows what's happening rather than relying upon corporate knowledge" Craig said.
Altogether, these new methods of operating the Public Works department will help things run more smoothly for both employees and the city as a whole.
"It's going to make us more accountable, more efficient and more effective.
"In my mind, we will get more bang for the buck because we will get more service without increasing the workforces, and I think it will improve our work environment and give (employees) more of a challenge," said Craig.
