In a 5-2 vote Monday, Courtenay council approved 12 new city staff positions that will be a $1 million-plus expense by next year.
The rationale for the staffing bump concerns a 43 per cent growth in Courtenay’s population from 2001-2016. Staff growth during the same period was 27 per cent.
The discrepancy impedes the aim of sustainable service delivery — identified as a council priority.
“This is no surprise to me,” said Coun. David Frisch, who feels City Hall is under-staffed. “I recognize our staff work really hard here.”
Couns. Doug Hillian, Erik Eriksson, Bob Wells and Rebecca Lennox also approved the additional positions. Mayor Larry Jangula and Coun. Manno Theos were opposed.