Jim Toye has resigned as city manager in North Battleford.
Toye's departure takes effect Dec. 31. He takes over Jan. 2 as the new city manager in Prince Albert.
Mayor Ian Hamilton made the announcement of Toye's resignation, with considerable emotion, at the conclusion of Monday's council meeting.
"Earlier this evening I accepted with great regret the resignation of the City Manager Jim Toye," said Hamilton, who informed council of Toye's new position.
Afterwards, the mayor and all the councillors expressed their congratulations and best wishes to Toye for his service to the city.
"I would like to congratulate Mr. Toye on his new position in PA," said Councillor Greg Lightfoot. "I enjoyed working with him in the last year and wish him well in his new endeavours."
"I have to concur and congratulate you, my friend," said Councillor Ray Fox. "In 10 years, your Worship, he's the only city manager I've ever known."
"We'll see you at SUMA," was one of Councillor Trent Houk's comments, noting Toye was staying in the province.
Toye expressed his gratitude for working for the City of North Battleford, expressing his thanks to the councils he served with and also the rest of the city administration and staff.
"It's been my honour and pleasure to serve here," said Toye.
"The opportunity arose and a very wise man once told me - my father - that 'if you have opportunity and you don't take it, you'll always question, whatever happened if I had done that.' And at that particular time the decision was difficult. I've decided to listen to my father's wisdom and take a chance on Jim Toye. Thank you very much for all the kind comments."
The opportunity in Prince Albert came about rather unexpectedly. In early September, Prince Albert Mayor Greg Dionne and city council unceremoniously dumped Robert Cotterill as city manager in a unanimous vote.
Toye's departure from North Battleford was finalized just prior to the evening's council meeting in North Battleford, confirmed Hamilton.
In speaking to reporters, Toye reiterated his mixed feelings about leaving, but noted Prince Albert was taking a chance on him.
"That city is taking a chance on Jim Toye. So I need to go there and prove they made a wise decision."
Toye had been the top executive for the town of Kindersley before moving to North Battleford in 2000. He took on the city manager's role under Mayor Wayne Ray and served under succeeding mayors Julian Sadlowski and Ian Hamilton.
In that role, Toye has been an integral part of the workings of City Hall and was able to point to a number of highlights in speaking to reporters. One big one was completion of the Credit Union CUPlex.
"It's a big deal, it really put us on the map," he said.
As well, the "whole infrastructure of the city has vastly improved," said Toye. He pointed to the building of the wastewater treatment plant and major additions to both of the water treatment plants.
Another point of pride for Toye was the expansion in building permits during his time as city manager. "If you look back 10 years ago, we had for building permits one building a year. Now it's tens of millions of dollars every year."
He also credits good relationships with federal and provincial government as well as with First Nations people for getting things done. Toye also pointed to contracts negotiated with the various unions over the years, and the general labour peace that resulted from that.
Toye again expressed his thanks to his staff for their hard work.
"I've been very blessed with a strong administration team," said Toye. He also praised council for their support.
"I wouldn't have been able to do CAMA - the president of CAMA and the CAMA - without the support of this council," Toye said.
He also praised the citizens and the media for being fair to him. "I was proud to serve the citizens of North Battleford. They were very fair to me."
Toye now moves to a much larger city with a bigger budget. Toye notes that has been the way it is in his particular career path, where he has moved from smaller communities up to bigger ones.
Toye said Dec. 31 was picked as the departure date because he felt he "owed it to the city council" to finish up some files he has been working on.
The plan is to "figure out what the highest priorities are for me in the next 60 days" and make his work plan around getting those things done.
Toye said he met with the senior management team earlier that day with respect to getting the budgets completed and before council in the month of November. He told reporters they are right on schedule with that.
Also pressing are plans to fill in other vacant positions at City Hall - namely the finance director's position that has been vacant since early September. Toye said a posting is out for that job and a professional company has been hired for that search. Four candidates are short listed for November.
Toye told reporters the intent is to have that position filled before he departs. He expects the City will advertise for his position quickly.
Mayor Hamilton told reporters he expects to "hit the ground" immediately to begin the process of planning the recruitment of a new city manager. "We'll have our discussions and make our plans," said Hamilton.
For his part, Hamilton said he was "very sad" to see Toye go.
"We had a great working relationship," said Hamilton. "I have the highest regard for him as a professional and as a person."
"This is a great opportunity for him. It's a bigger city, a much bigger city, and he's looking forward to the challenge. We wish him well."
Toye said he looks forward to his next challenge.
"I'm leaving here with my head high. I'm going to a new job with my head high, hoping that I'm the person they want for that job for a reason."
