REGINA — Regina city manager Niki Anderson has been terminated.
In a 10-1 vote, city council approved the dismissal of Anderson effective immediately.
“We decided to go [in] a different direction,” said Mayor Chad Bachynski during a media scrum on Wednesday.
Bachynski also said it’s not uncommon for nine out of 11 new councillors to want new leadership in place that aligns with their goals.
Anderson had been on leave since April due to personal reasons, according to Bachynski.
Bachynski wouldn’t say whether Anderson’s leave had anything to do with her eventual dismissal.
Anderson first joined Regina as city manager in 2022 after the termination of Chris Holden.
As part of Anderson’s termination, she will be paid severance as her contract with the city was originally until 2027.
The exact amount of severance Anderson is receiving won’t be disclosed until a later date.
In 2024, Anderson was the highest-paid city worker, earning $317,112.
Holden also received severance following his termination, which was around $850,000.
This fact led to Coun. Shanon Zachidniak (Ward 8) to be opposed to the motion.
“Since I've been elected in 2020, we've paid out more than a million dollars to folks by firing them without cause and paying them out accordingly,” she said during a media scrum.
Zachidniak also raised concerns regarding people wanting to work for the city after several city staff members have been fired without cause over the past few years.
However, Bachynski believes Regina is a growing, vibrant city with a lot to offer someone new.
With Anderson’s firing, Jim Nichol continues as acting city manager until a new permanent city manager is found. Meanwhile, Amber Ackerman will also continue being the acting city clerk for as long as Nichol remains acting city manager.
The process to find a new city manager will begin as soon as possible, said Bachynski.
“And we'd expect to work through that in the coming months here.”
