At Tuesday’s council meeting, staff proposed that the City of Elliot Lake contract Human Resource (HR) services from St. Joseph’s General Hospital.
The contract begins November 1. The value of the two-year contract is $366,448.99.
Introducing the recommendation, Interim CAO, Rob deBortoli, explained, “The organization has been challenged with human resource delivery.”
“Based on the fact that we’ve had a high turnover of staff over the recent years, so the functionality [of the] HR department has waned and really needs to be revived,” he said.
Information included with the staff report in the agenda package informs that the work will begin with an HR assessment lasting 1 to 3 months. The contractor is expected to be on site 3 days per week during this assessment period.
On site work is expected to decrease to “no less than a minimum of 6 days per month with the remainder of the work being managed remotely.”
The department’s 2025 operational budget of $256,775 for salaries and contracted services, is projected to be adequate to fund the contract and remaining internal costs, while leaving $34,894 available for other uses such as training.
The staff report identified the following benefits to be realized:
- Standardized approach to HR across the entire organization.
- Overall organizational support through the development of systems that will enable a smooth transition to the re-establishment of an independent HR service at the end of this agreement (if desired).
- Ability to leverage resources … i.e. leadership development, professional development, training etc.
Commenting about the collaboration, deBortoli said, “We have seen success in the past through collaborative arrangements such as this.”
“We had very good success in both our managing of the residential waterfront development and also our golf course,” he said.
While observing, "not that I'm trying to end it before it starts," Councillor Norman Mann inquired about a cancellation clause. deBortoli informed him that either party can cancel the agreement with 30 days notice.
Councillor Helen Lefebvre observed, “in your analysis, you indicated the number of on site days they would be on site … Is there a reason why that was not put in the legal contract?”
deBortoli: “Is it not in the contract?”
Lefebvre said, “My preference would have been to see it in the contract.” deBortoli: “Noted.”
Councillor Charles Flintoff inquired, “Is there anybody working in the HR department?” He was advised there is a contracted individual assisting “until such time as we can get this contract executed and in place.”
The recommendation was approved unanimously by the councillors present. Councillor Rick Bull was not in attendance at the meeting.