CAO Announces Department Reorganization

HALTON HILLS, ON – Chris Mills, Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) for the Town of Halton Hills recently announced a reorganization for the municipality. The change merges two departments – Recreation and Parks and Business, Environment and Culture (BEC) into a new Community Services Department effective May 13.

“There were several drivers for the change,” said Mills. “Notably our responsibility to deliver on Council’s priorities while meeting the community’s needs in a way that leverages efficiencies by bringing together services that have a natural alignment.”

The Community Services Department will be led by Damian Szybalski, former Commissioner of the BEC. “Damian is an experienced leader who, together with the senior managers of the departments will further drive success and innovation,” said Mills. The move recognizes that numerous initiatives already have cross departmental collaboration such as community partnerships and programs, environmental stewardship, facility operations and asset management. The new department will focus on maintaining/raising residents' quality of life by leveraging opportunities throughout recreation, economic development and cultural services to support Halton Hills as the place to live, work, play, create and invest.

Mills noted that the new structure was based on the principles of:

• Alignment with Council’s Strategic Plan
• Supporting corporate management
• Building staff talent and advancing succession planning
• Introducing change as opportunities arise and
• Responding to the Town’s current financial position

The organizational change follows the resignation of the former Recreation and Parks Commissioner which provided an opportunity to consolidate two departments into one. 

“Combining recreation, culture, parks, environment and business supports such as tourism will create synergies and better Town programs,” said Mayor Ann Lawlor. “Since we’re working in a time of budget restraint, I’m pleased that the Town will accomplish more while spending less.”

About the Town of Halton Hills

The Town of Halton Hills, with a population of approximately 60,000, consists of two urban centres, Georgetown and Acton, the Halton Hills Premier Gateway employment area, three hamlets – Glen Williams, Stewarttown and Norval – and several smaller settlements. Halton Hills has long been recognized for its natural beauty, active agricultural community, high quality of life and proximity to major centres, including Brampton, Mississauga and Toronto. The Town is ranked as one of the top small communities in Canada by a national magazine.

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