Council here agrees that staff members need to continue their education.
It voted unanimously to permit clerk and chief administrative officer Patty Sinnamon and finance director Mike Givens to enroll in an executive diploma municipal management course.
That is being offered in partnership with the Association of Municipal Managers, Clerks and Treasurers of Ontario with the University of Western Ontario and Seneca College Centre for Financial Services.
Sinnamon told council in her report on Oct. 11 the program was created as a result of the 2006 municipal needs assessment review done by the association and the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing.
Sinnamon noted she participated in that review panel, where officials determined there was a lack of public sector-specific management and training.
She said the curriculum being offered now is comprised of 20 workshop days held over two years, and it is followed by a research report submitted by each student at the end of the term.
“The program has been identified as the most comprehensive career development program designed specifically for municipal managers and provides practical solutions to enhancing key management skills,” Sinnamon stated in her report.
The workshops are offered once a month and are held in various places around the province to keep costs down.
The cost of the program is $1,660 per person for each year of the course.
She recommended she and Givens be permitted to take those courses.
Mayor Bruce Whale noted Sinnamon had a say in the recommendation that came from the ministry after the 2006 study.
Sinnamon said she believes the program now being offered “seems to be a good fit” for Mapleton employees.
Whale asked if Sinnamon would be able to provide a course outline. She said she could do that.
Whale said, “Any time we have a chance to have staff upgrade their skills is good, but that’s nice to know.”
Council approved the request.
Councillors Neil Driscoll and Andy Knetsch were absent.
