September brings a packed schedule for the council and staff; Chief Administrative Officer braces for juggling it all
In the heart of Burlington, the city's administrative hub, City Hall, continues to evolve. The city has a policy that designates certain jobs as 'in-office every day,' unless the nature of the role requires otherwise. This policy has been in place for some time, but the advent of remote work due to the pandemic has prompted a reevaluation of this approach.
The city's culture, tone, and commitment to serving the public are set by the City Manager, who is also referred to as the CAO. Currently, Curt Benson, a planner by training, holds this position and will remain in place until the 2026 municipal election. The future of Benson's tenure, however, is uncertain, as the newly elected Burlington City Council will decide if he should continue in his role after the election.
Benson is known for his straightforward and well-prepared approach to meetings, a trait that has undoubtedly contributed to his tenure thus far. His predecessor, Tim Dobbie, served as the City Manager for over a decade.
The city's service levels vary between departments. Some departments are serving the city well, while others require improvement. One area that has been identified for improvement is Service Burlington, which manages the city's telephone services. Issues with the service have arisen, with the staff not always having the necessary training to answer all questions.
The concept of working from home no longer defines most people's 'new normal,' according to Iain Dobson, co-founder of the Strategic Regional Research Alliance (SRRA). While some jobs in the city are split between in and out of City Hall, others allow for remote work almost entirely. The city's finance sector, for instance, has seen a significant shift in this regard, with many employees seldom visiting City Hall.
However, the city's traffic congestion, particularly in Toronto and parts of Burlington, remains a challenge. This has not affected the employers with production schedules; if you want to be paid, you show up.
City Hall, once a bustling hub, is now a large, open, and vacant space. The atmosphere is sterile, with people behind glass walls and sometimes a security guard. Despite this, the staff have found ways to maintain a sense of camaraderie, as evidenced by their participation in events such as the 2011 United Way fundraising event, where they took part in a funny costume competition.
As for the future of City Hall and its leadership, only time will tell. The newly elected City Council has yet to announce their decision regarding Benson's continuation as CAO, and there is no publicly available information about who they will confirm as city manager after 2026. Regardless, the city continues to adapt and evolve, facing challenges and making changes as necessary to serve its residents effectively.
