The City of Vancouver is on the hunt for a new city manager after announcing "the conclusion of Dr. Penny Ballem’s service" in that position via a Sept. 15 press release.
Based on her contract, Ballem will earn a severance of $556,000.
The release stated that Mayor Gregor Robertson and city council have voted to initiate a senior leadership transition at city hall and the beginning of a comprehensive global search process for a new city manager.
“Dr. Penny Ballem has been an exceptional city manager, driving transformative change across the organization over the past seven years and demonstrating outstanding commitment to the City of Vancouver and all of its residents,” Mayor Gregor Robertson was quoted as saying in the press release.
“As we look toward making continued progress on Vancouver’s most significant priorities, Council has decided that our city’s toughest challenges will benefit from a new approach and a fresh perspective. With an experienced staff team and new leadership in the City of Vancouver administration, I am very confident that we can expand Vancouver’s success as one of the greenest, most innovative, and most inclusive cities in the world.”
Deputy city manager Sadhu Johnston will serve as Acting City Manager until the position is filled.
According to the release, Robertson has also asked for the international search process to include a compensation review for the city manager position, "to ensure the best value for taxpayers."
“Dr. Ballem was instrumental in the remarkable turnaround of the finances of the Olympic Village and a successful winter Olympics, delivered innovative policy leadership on a wide array of City priorities, and successfully managed a billion-dollar organization that routinely ranks as one of the best places to work in Canada,” the mayor stated. “On behalf of my colleagues on City Council and everyone at City Hall, I want to thank Dr. Ballem for her extraordinary service to Vancouver and the lasting contributions she has made to the future of this city.”
Ballem is the latest high profile staffer to leave city hall. Head planner Brian Jackson announced his retirement in late July. Jackson is expected to leave his position before Christmas.
