The draft 2013 budget as approved by city council last week will see a range of new full-time positions established in St. Albert.
While council started the budget process with approximately 38 operating business cases, they approved approximately 17. Of a total of 22 proposed new full-time employees, roughly 15 were approved.
Here is what was voted in by council, as well as some of the operating business cases that were approved but in a form different from what administration originally recommended.
• Sales co-ordinator, economic development – one of three positions proposed by economic development, the sales co-ordinator will generate leads on potential new investors and set up appointments with staff.
• Web co-ordinator, corporate communications – will perform the bulk of the city’s online work, which is currently handled by several different people.
• QR codes – this business case will see Quick Response codes that can be read by smartphones placed on public art in St. Albert, allowing viewers to access more information about each piece.
• RCMP information technology support – Currently a half-time position, the workload and different technology used require a full-time person.
• Handibus review implementation – approved by council earlier in 2012, this will see more handibus trips running into Edmonton.
• Neighbourhood development co-ordinator – originally funded as a pilot project by the province, the city will now fund the position, which will help neighbourhoods handle certain challenges such as planning or policing, as well as help with block parties.
• Recreation co-ordinator – Responsible for implementing different recreation programs at Servus Credit Union Place, this position will be increased to full-time from half-time.
• Youth festival – this business case will set up, along with help from youth, a new festival for young teens, a group the city feels requires more recreation opportunities.
Transit utility worker – staff to perform maintenance on the transit fleet, currently filled by casual workers.
• Community writer-in-residence – appointing an established writer at St. Albert Public Library to help residents with their literary pursuits.
• Community sustainability co-ordinator – a person responsible for creating a community sustainability plan, which will create a long-term vision of the city that balances social, environmental and cultural factors.
• Natural areas assessment – a plan that would identify and help protect natural areas in undeveloped areas of the city.
• 2019 Canada Winter Games bid – The original case called for spending $37,500 in 2013 to prepare a bid. The business case passed calls for staff to attend the bid orientation in 2013 but to spend no funds until after that takes place.
• Spirit of St. Albert: Family Day – Staff originally recommended $20,000 for the society’s Family Day event. Council instead approved funding totalling $10,000
• Special Olympics Legacy – Originally totalling $15,000, a motion to reduce the total by $6,000 to hold the employer lunch and still support sporting events was approved.
• Corporate analyst — a hybrid position consisting of two business cases that were not approved. The corporate analyst will help both economic development and corporate planning with research and support.
• Long-term information technology plan – instead of $100,000, the city will spend $75,000 on a plan projecting how St. Albert will use technology in the future.
• Economic analyst
• Small business specialist
• Capital Region Board planner
• Engineering organizational review
• Emergency communications officer
• Graffiti clean-up
• RCMP officers (2)
• Extreme sports study
• Supplementary pension plan for managers
• Theatre technician
• Business analyst
• Transit service on statutory holidays
• Division business manager
• Safety codes officer
