City of Penticton continues to feel fallout from COVID-19

The City of Penticton is still down eight per cent of its workforce as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Yesterday, Sept. 10, the city announced the elimination of the Director of People and Community Safety Strategy position, held by Kerri Lockwood.

Chief Financial Officer Jim Bauer will take on the portfolio along with Director of Development Services Blake Laven.

Communications Manager Philip Cooper says two other positions have also been eliminated, including Special Projects Direct and a part time Economic Development Specialist.

Two more positions – a long range planner and power line technician – will no longer be backfilled by the city, and five seasonal workers remain on layoff with plans to reassess next season.

Twenty recreation centre positions remain on layoff to be recalled as hours expand, including part-time receptionists and cashiers, part-time lifeguards, and full time maintenance facilities staff.

The city originally announced layoffs affecting 20 per cent of the city’s workforce in April as the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in shutdown of many of the city’s facilities.

Chief Financial Officer Jim Bauer says around 25 individuals have not returned from the March layoffs.

The city has a full time equivalent of 300 staff.

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