04/29/2026
Dear Residents of SYSRC:
I am approaching the end of my mandate. I thought this would be an appropriate time to give you a final update on the work done since my last update. For those who want background info to refer to, you can find it in my previous updates posted approximately on November 12 and 21, 2025, December 5 and 13, 2025, January 28 and 29, 2026.
Net cost of Supervision:
It is too early to know the final cost of supervision, i.e. my fees and expenses. It will be up to the Local Governance Commission to report to council on it as I don’t have the authority to do that.
However, I have roughly estimated the net cost of supervision. Because I performed the roles and tasks of the Mayor, Council, Chief Administrative Office, Clerk and office supervisor, SYSRC did not have to pay the salaries for those positions during my mandate.
As a result, when the salary savings for those positions are deducted from my fees and expenses, the resulting net cost to the community for the supervision is under $23,000. The final report will have the details of the financial and administrative impact of supervision.
Council Chambers:
As you may recall we relinquished the council chamber space in return for a rent reduction of $3000 a month - which is saving the community $30,000 in this fiscal year.
The Rusagonis Recreation Center has agreed to host all council meetings until a new office location is found when the current office rent expiries in in November. This is at a total cost of $1200 for 12 meetings.
Development of Financial and Administrative Processes:
I reported on the first 30 days of the 90-day plan through three statements in early April. This work so far as resulted in new financial and accounting policies which were posted. We just completed the 30 to 60 portion 90-day plan and here are the results:
A completely revamped/new accounting and financial control systems of policies and procedures including purchasing policy (including levels of approval), credit card policy, travel and hospitality policy, accounts payable process, payroll process, bank account and credit card reconciliation process, petty cash policy and related forms.
The development of standardized forms for Accounts Payable Approval Form, Payroll Payable Approval Form, Time Sheets, Payroll Change Form, and Expense Reimbursement Forms
The development and Implementation of staff workplans with defined objectives is to follow.
Emergency Operations Committee:
Work continues and we have met on two occasions, and the committee intends to present an emergency plan to the new council.
Interim Clerk/Senior Administrator:
The interim Clerk/Senior Administrator has been in place and the transfer of administrative duties from the Supervisor to that position is complete.
By-laws:
We have posted four by-laws for the 30-day review period, which started April 2nd. Written comments will be reviewed and incorporated, where appropriate, and the new by-laws will be adopted on May 3rd.
Human Resources (HR) Plan:
We received and reviewed the report from MMA consultants on the HR plan. It will be submitted it to council for review and approval. The report makes 13 recommendations including on the staffing complement and job duties. It recommends two positions (Clerk/Senior Administrator and Treasurer/Assistant Clerk) comparable to what exists now. There will not be a Chief Administrative Officer.
Recruitment of Permanent Clerk/Senior Administrator:
We solicited proposals from three recruitment firms, and their proposals are due May 1st. The proposals will include the recruitment plan, milestones and cost of the proposal. The three quotes will be presented to Council with options of:
Selecting one of the proposals
Selecting another service provider
Council doing their own recruitment
The new position must be in place in July to permit a smooth transition with the Interim position which ends on July 31st. The council will be able to hit the ground running on the recruitment of the Clerk.
2025 Annual Audited Statements and Annual Report:
They were completed on time and posted on April 7th.
Community Wildfire Resiliency Plan (Fire Smart):
The report was completed and submitted to SYSRC. We posted it publicly in April.
Swearing in and onboarding of Council:
The Interim Clerk, Robert White, is developing a very strong package of information and presentations for the councils first few weeks in function. The work includes organizing the swearing in ceremony, the orientation session on council procedures and the development of the notional agenda for the first three meetings of council.
End of the Supervisory Mandate:
It is too early to tell exactly when my mandate will end, and the new council will be sworn in. Elections NB has to certify the election results and advise the Local Governance Commission and SYSRC. Once that is done, the Clerk will organize the swearing in ceremony and the LGC will terminate my appointment. ElectionsNB has stated that the certification will happen around May 23rd. The swearing in ceremony is tentatively scheduled for May 25th, 2026, at the Rusagonis Recreation Center. Please watch our website and social media for confirmation of the date, time and location.
I will post the table of contents of my final report tomorrow and will post my final goodbye statement to you in May, probably just before or just after the election. Unless something drastic happens, I won’t be posting any statement after May 12th.
As a final comment, none of the work accomplished and the decisions made during the supervisory mandate are binding on Council or adding a permanent on-going liability.
Don Ferguson
Supervisor SYSRC
