In a third wave of organizational restructuring, Vancouver will fold its Transportation Department into two city departments and eliminate its Media Services as a standalone department, City Manager Pat McDonnell announced today.
It’s the third and final step of streamlining measures aimed at cutting $700,000 annually through organizational streamlining, according to a release from the city.
McDonnell said he’s also working with employee unions to pare down benefit costs. The restructuring, consolidation into one City Hall building and employee benefit changes will bring the projected 2011-2012 shortfall of $10 million each year down to $6.7 million in both years, the city said.
“These are strategic measures that will improve our effectiveness and help us better meet our coming financial challenges,” McDonnell said. “To reduce operating costs, I’ve committed to strategically streamlining the organization, consolidating facilities and restructuring employee health care costs. With today’s announcement, I have effectively accomplished two of those three milestones.”
Media Services, which oversees CVTV, will become part of a citywide communications structure. Its longtime director, Donna Mason, will retire on Dec. 31.
In July, transportation engineering, design and development review, as well as the Pavement Management Program, will become part of the Department of Public Works, headed by Director Brian Carlson.
Long-range transportation planning functions will merge with the Department of Community Development, under Director Laura Hudson.
Until his announced retirement at the end of 2011, Transportation Manager Thayer Rorabaugh will become the city’s Transportation Policy director, working out of the City Manager’s office on transportation issues at the regional and state level, as well as advocate for city interests in the Columbia River Crossing project.
Today’s announcement marks the third round of department changes McDonnell has made.
In late January, the city combined its Fire and Public Works Operations Equipment Services and Maintenance shops, which service all city vehicles, including police, fire and street equipment.
In May, the city combined Development Review Services and Community Planning, forming the Department of Community Development. At the same time, Betsy Williams, former assistant city manager, announced she will retire by the end of the year, and Eric Holmes, former economic development director, stepped into that role. His previous position is not being filled.
For the complete story, read Thursday’s edition of The Columbian.
