Committee approves new Valley Transit administrative support specialist

The Human Resources & Information Technologies Committee approved a request to create a new administrative support specialist position for Valley Transit.

General Manager McDonald told the committee the position will handle daily finance tasks — issuing purchase orders and managing accounts payable and receivable — allowing the enterprise account manager to focus on grants and larger projects. “We really want to fortify the finance department within Trent Valley Transit,” McDonald said, explaining the role had been budgeted as an over‑hire tied to an administrative services manager’s upcoming retirement.

Members asked about timing and budget impact; McDonald said the role was budgeted in the previous year as part of an over‑hire to ensure continuity during the transition and that the city expects the position to be covered within existing budgeted dollars. Director Rachman and other members noted similar administrative-support models exist in other departments and voiced support.

The committee approved the creation of the position; the item passed on voice vote with a recorded tally of 4 yes, 2 no, 0 abstentions.

Staff said they will proceed with filling the role and return updates to the committee as staffing moves forward.