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THEBACHA/FORT SMITH
The mayor of Fort Smith says the municipality does not have an unusual problem with high staff turnover.

Janie Hobart: staff turnover at Town of Fort Smith no different than at other municipalities across Canada. - NNSL file photo

"The turnover of staff happens for various reasons and they are not unique to our municipality," Janie Hobart said in a written statement on the town's website.

Hobart's statement is in response to a question raised by a member of the public at a council meeting earlier this year.

"It is often difficult to find the right fit in a senior manager for the position itself and for the community," she stated. "The other factor that complicates the hiring process is that many municipalities across Canada are in a similar situation. The attrition rate is particularly high in the North."

Hobart said, while there have been a number of senior positions that have changed with the Town of Fort Smith, the bulk of the staff are the same today as when the current council took office or are new hires for permanent positions that in the past were casual positions.

She added eight people have come and gone in four positions – senior administrative officer and three directors – during the mandate of the current council. One retired and three resigned to move to other employment, plus there were some acting senior managers employed for a specific term.

The mayor's statement does not refer to specific employees since personnel issues are confidential.

The municipality recently filled the position of director of municipal services.

The position of lands administrator is in the process of being filled, Hobart told News/North last week. "I anticipate it will be filled probably by the end of the month," she said.

That leaves one senior position vacant – the director of community services.

In all, the town has about 30 full-time staff members.

Hobart said a few people in the community have the perception there is a staff turnover problem with the town.

"It's like any perception, it's real in their mind," she said, adding she is unsure where they are getting their information.

Brad Brake, who asked the question called the town's response 95 per cent spin.

"You notice what they're saying is that there isn't any more than any other municipality," he said. "They're not saying, no, there is no high turnover rate."

Brake, who until last fall was second vice-president of the Union of Northern Workers, said he does not work for the town and asked the question as a private citizen after hearing concerns about staff turnover.

"They dance around giving you a straight answer it seems like," he said.

However, Brake said being on the council in a small town like Fort Smith is not easy.

"I think the council and the mayor are trying to do a good job," he said, adding he has no ill will against them.

Brake, a candidate for mayor in the last municipal election, added he did not raise the staff turnover issue for political reasons, noting he is not even considering running again.

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