Skip to content

More senior staff changes at Qualicum Beach town hall

The departure of the corporate administrator Trudy Coates follows the recent retirement of CAO Mark Brown

The management team at the Town of Qualicum Beach will be reduced to seven from a high of 11 in 2010, after the Town announced Friday that corporate administrator Trudy Coates would be leaving her position.

Coates is leaving the Town as a result of restructuring and downsizing of the management team The News learned in a press release from the Town late Friday afternoon. Her last day will be March 14.

The release included a quote from Mayor Teunis Westbroek.

"In local government, we are always trying to do more with less. In 2013, the Town received $345,000 less in provincial government revenue sharing with similar funding expected in 2014. Council is faced with difficult funding decisions and as a result there has been an emphasis to reduce and streamline administrative processes that has resulted in reductions to management staffing levels. Trudy was a very dedicated employee and we wish her all the best for the future."

Coates joined the Town of Qualicum Beach in the senior management position of Corporate Administrator in August 2006. Her major areas of responsibility have included council and committee coordination and support; property management; airport management; public relations, communication and customer service; cemetery administration; local government elections; human resources; and general administration, including bylaws, policies, and procedural advice.

Coates issued a statement in the release.

"I am extremely proud of the work we have accomplished during the past eight years. I am most proud of the staff that I have mentored and their development and growth. I will certainly miss everyone, but I'm excited about pursuing the new opportunities that lie ahead to continue with my career in local government, life-long learning and spending time with my family."

Prior to her employment with the Town of Qualicum Beach, Coates worked for the District of Squamish in a similar position for 18 years.

John Marsh, Acting CAO, expressed appreciation for Coates' service to the Town of Qualicum Beach in the release. He noted that Coates successfully restructured the Town's corporate administration management practices —a great benefit to other Town employees and for the public's access to Town information. Marsh emphasized that the management team, although shrinking in size, is highly-skilled, motivated, and supported by great employees.  Coates' duties will be shared between Deputy Corporate Administrator Heather Svensen and other staff.

—News Staff