It was an emotional night at City Hall in North Battleford as city council bid farewell to City Manager Jim Puffalt
Puffalt is heading to Moose Jaw next month to become city manager there.
While his final day on the job in North Battleford is May 4, Monday night was Puffalt’s last council meeting. His wife Monique and son Nathan were in attendance as members of council bade him farewell.
Mayor Ryan Bater closed the meeting offering his thanks to Puffalt for his four-plus years serving North Battleford.
Bater noted that during the last four years “we’ve thrown a lot at him,” pointing to initiatives such as the Strategic Plan, the Community Safety Strategy, the CSO program, Downtown Master Plan, the parking study, the Customer Service Review, the organizational review, the budget process, and CEDI — the Community Economic Development Initiative — in partnership with Battlefords Agency Tribal Chiefs.
“It’s been a time of a lot of change,” said Bater, who noted the accomplishments of the past four years.
“On behalf of council and the citizens we represent, thank you for your service to our city. We appreciate not just the new initiatives, but the passion that you brought to the position. And it’s certainly been noticed. So thank you so much and good luck in the future.”
Puffalt took the podium to express his thanks to the council.
“Four years has gone by really fast,” said Puffalt. “I want to thank the council that was involved and hired me and brought me to North Battleford.”
Puffalt also praised council for the experience he had in North Battleford.
“When people ask me about North Battleford and coming here I say this is probably the best experience I’ve ever had — a council that believes in governance and allowing staff to do their job and giving us guidance and direction,” said Puffalt. “You guys have been absolutely incredible, and I’m not blowing smoke, because there’s lots of councils that aren’t.”
Puffalt also paid tribute to the staff, saying “it’s not possible without a great team.”
Puffalt said he was “blessed” to have spent time in North Battleford, and said he wasn’t ready to leave. But Puffalt added “when opportunities come, you’ve kind of got to take them.”
When the meeting adjourned Puffalt spent several minutes shaking the hands of council and staff members who were in council chambers.
Earlier in the meeting, Community Safety Co-ordinator Herb Sutton, whose position with the City was created during Puffalt’s tenure, also paid tribute to the departing city manager.
“I just want to take the opportunity to publicly wish him the very best, and thank him for his vision and his support and his dedication to community safety,” said Sutton.
“The City has been a strong and integral leader in the work of creating a safer community, and certainly the city manager has been a key factor in that leadership. So Mr. Puffalt, it has been a pleasure working with you and I just want to wish you all the best in your new endeavors.”
In speaking to reporters following the meeting, Mayor Bater reiterated that policies instituted under Puffalt’s tenure would not end with his departure.
“None of what he’s worked on will be dropped, because they were designed in a way that they would never depend on a person. They were systemic changes that the community got behind, and the community will see them through.”
Bater indicated to reporters an announcement will be made soon on what the City plans to do in the interim until a new city manager is hired.
The search for a replacement has already begun. According to Mayor Bater an executive search firm has been hired to conduct a national search for a new city manager. That process is ongoing.
