Delta Mayor George Harvie wants to delay the search for a new city manager until after the next municipal election in 2026.
Noting council was scheduled to have a special meeting this week to discuss a path forward to filling the vacancy, which is to be filled on a temporary basis by deputy city manager Marcy Sangret, Harvie told the Optimist it would be prudent to allow the next council to make the hire for the key position.
He said he would be asking the rest of council for the delay, adding the administration will continue to operate smoothly and responsibly with Sangret as acting city manager, a role she has been familiar with in recent years.
With the next municipal election 14 months away, Harvie said he wants to avoid rushing the hiring process.
“My concern is we’re going very close to an election period. During the election periods, during the last year of the terms, not much happens. Staff continue to provide the services to the city’s residents, but I’m very concerned that going out on recruitment for a new city manager is very expensive and is going to lock taxpayers into the cost of the contract. It should be the right of the next council to actually replace the city manager,” noted Harvie.
Harvie in a statement this week said he had been contacted by many residents who raised questions about the hiring process, the substantial compensation for the role and an undo haste of hiring a replacement.
He noted it should be the newly elected mayor and council to appoint a permanent city manager who reflects their collective vision and priorities.
Earlier this summer, it was announced that City of Delta Manager Donny van Dyk had been named the new manager for the City of Vancouver, a role he will assume on Sept. 8.
He joined Delta as city manager in September 2023.
