LAC LA BICHE - Lac La Biche County has parted ways with 13 employees as part of staffing adjustments. The layoffs make up about five percent of the roughly 200 full-time employees currently working for the municipality.
On July 31, the municipality released a memorandum stating the recent strategic adjustments to its organizational structure were based on an efficiency review. Among the 13 employees were several managers and heads of departments.
According to CAO Manny Deol, while the County has had other reviews completed specific to service areas, this is the first comprehensive “deep dive” into the organization in over a decade. He added that the municipality is always seeking ways to become more effective and efficient in its service delivery.
“Based on the feedback from this third-party review, council empowered me to follow the recommendations offered by the efficiency review,” Deol told Lakeland This Week. “In applying the efficiency review, I made the decision to eliminate or consolidate certain positions.”
Regarding how these managers and department heads will be replaced, Deol explained that the new organizational structure has considered elimination, amalgamation, and redistribution of responsibilities to form a more collaborative and effective management structure.
Deol continued by saying that there are no more cuts coming to Lac La Biche County staff.
“At this time, no further staffing adjustments are planned,” he said.
Costs come with layoffs
The efficiency review was budgeted in 2023 at a cost of $200,000. While he did not give an exact number, the CAO said stated that the elimination and consolidation of these positions will result in savings to local taxpayers.
As for any payments or compensation, Deol stated that the details of compensation received by these employees is confidential, and therefore, cannot be disclosed by Lac La Biche County.
When asked who would take over certain roles, Deol said the County has qualified staff in place to run services in compliance with all requirements and regulations.
“The excellent services that our residents expect and rely on will continue to be offered at the same level, and without interruption,” he said.
