City’s top bureaucrat resigns days after audit

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This article was published 17/06/2024 (488 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The City of Winnipeg’s top bureaucrat is no longer on the job after a sudden and surprising resignation Monday, days after an audit found most city employees lacked properly documented performance reviews.

Mayor Scott Gillingham declined to answer questions about why the departure of chief administrative officer Michael Jack will take effect so soon or the amount of severance Jack will receive.

The mayor also declined to reveal if he approached Jack or the CAO approached him, when the two first spoke of the matter “late last week.”

The CAO will officially leave the job on June 28.

“We don’t publicly disclose any of the City of Winnipeg’s (human resources) details for employees,” Gillingham said.

Some city councillors suggested the decision is linked to a city auditor’s report released last week, which found the city lacked proper processes to review staff performance.

“We had a very tense meeting about the auditors’ report regarding human resources issues … I think that Mr. Jack probably (saw) some writing on the wall and he offered up his resignation. But I don’t think (he) should necessarily take on all the responsibility,” said Coun. Ross Eadie (Mynarski), who suggested low budgets are a bigger threat to city services.

The workforce management audit found 67 per cent of the city’s 10,400 employees hadn’t completed a formal job assessment that was properly documented between 2018 and 2022. It also found 10 out of 12 leaders interviewed for the report did not use formal documented performance measures to evaluate staff.

Eadie said he was surprised to hear of the CAO’s departure on Monday and doesn’t see the audit as a scandal.

Coun. Janice Lukes declined to note specifics about Jack’s departure, then mentioned the audit.

“Well, because it’s an HR issue … we can’t get into any details. But I think the audit report speaks volumes. I think that that recent audit report that we received speaks to some major issues in the City of Winnipeg that need change,” said Lukes (Waverley West).

The councillor told media she did not call for Jack’s resignation.

“Well, because it’s an HR issue … we can’t get into any details. But I think the audit report speaks volumes.”–Coun. Janice Lukes

Coun. Cindy Gilroy (Daniel McIntyre) said she suspects the audit findings might have played a role in the departure and she’s worried about a loss of leadership following Jack’s departure so soon after the May 31 retirement of chief financial officer Catherine Kloepfer.

“Right now, we are really just coming out of COVID and it’s really a scary time for us to lose this much leadership. I’m really worried about succession planning. I am very disappointed.

“I think Mike Jack was on the right path of where I think we should be moving as a city,” she said, noting his work on addictions, housing and homelessness.

Gillingham said the city has many skilled staff to ensure a smooth transition.

“I have confidence that there’s stability and professional ability there … to continue on with the important work that’s being done,” he said.

Coun. Brian Mayes (St. Vital) said he had a good working relationship with Jack and noted high-level positions tend to have higher turnover.

“I think these jobs have a certain shelf life. It’s not like people are in them for 20 years,” said Mayes.

“I think these jobs have a certain shelf life. It’s not like people are in them for 20 years.”–Coun. Brian Mayes

Jack began working for the city in 2000 and took on the city’s top job in July 2021.

The mayor thanked him for helping create a municipal services agreement for the Naawi-Oodena urban reserve, a plan to use federal rapid housing dollars and a community safety team, among other initiatives.

Jack did not respond to a request for comment. In a press release, he indicated it was time for a new boss.

“I feel now is the time for someone new to come in and lead the city’s public service with a fresh perspective … I have led this team as far as I can and it’s time for someone new to take them to the next level,” Jack said in the release.

“I have led this team as far as I can and it’s time for someone new to take them to the next level.”–Michael Jack statement

The mayor wouldn’t say if the audit was linked to Jack’s departure.

He did note the next CAO will be expected to implement its recommendations.

“We have to make sure that we’re delivering really good service to the public. To do that, there has got to be regular performance reviews and job reviews of our employees,” Gillingham said.

Deputy CAO Moira Geer will serve as acting CAO until June 28. The mayor will recommend Sherwood Armbruster to serve as interim CAO, effective June 28, pending city council approval.

Armbruster has served as the city’s senior election official and manager of strategic initiatives since 2012.

joyanne.pursaga@freepress.mb.ca

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