(Submitted photo/City of Prince Albert)

By Jaryn Vecchio

Leadership Position

P.A. council appoints Sherry Person as city manager for five years

May 16, 2023 | 8:00 AM

The city of Prince Albert won’t have to worry about finding a new leader for the foreseeable future.

P.A.’s council met on Monday where they approved having Sherry Person take on the role of city manager for the next five years.

She has served as the acting city manager since March 2022 after Jim Toye, the former manager, decided to retire.

“I never expected to be in this role and to have this opportunity,” Person said.

She’s been with the city of P.A. since 1994. Over the roughly 29 years, she’s held different positions including eight years as the city clerk.

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Mayor Greg Dionne told paNOW it was Person’s work as the city clerk that gave council the idea to give her a shot at the city’s top position.

“It’s usually a director of one of the departments, but there’s no reason why the city clerk (can’t),” he said.

He also mentioned it was important to promote internally rather than bring someone from a different community so city staff could see firsthand that there is an opportunity to advance.

Since Person’s original promotion, Dionne noted he’s even heard from other mayors in the province who’ve told him that they never thought of considering the city clerk for the city manager position, but they might start having to. He added this is because Person has already made quite a splash in the role.

“She’s already reconstructed financial services and just with that reconstruction saved $230,000,” Dionne said. “Those are the kinds of people that the taxpayers want.”

The city also outlined other ideas she’s implemented over the past year which include introducing a new strategic plan, setting expectations for all staff, and improving internal communication between departments.

Meanwhile, Person’s old role as city clerk will continue to be filled by Terri Mercier.

She’s been in this position since March 2022. Dionne said pretty much everyone in the department was given a promotion when Person first left.

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Jaryn.Vecchio@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @princealbertnow