City Council Chief Executive Extends Contract By Two Years

Dunedin (1 June 2004) – The Dunedin City Council has extended by two years the employment contract it has with its chief executive, Jim Harland.

The extension means Mr Harland’s employment contract, which was due to expire in March 2005, has now been extended until March 2007.

Mr Harland joined the City Council in March 2000 and the City Council had the option of extending his contract by two years, or readvertising the position as a five-year contract.

Announcing the extension, the Mayor of Dunedin Sukhi Turner said the City Council is extremely pleased Mr Harland has accepted its invitation to continue for a further two years.

“In the four-and-a-half years with the City Council so far Jim has had an immensely positive impact on the operation of the City Council and through that the vibrancy and development of our City as a whole,” Mayor Turner said.

“His decision to continue with us for a further two years from March 2005 gives the City of Dunedin certainty stability and strength going forward,” she said. “Later this year we will have a new City Council, and a new Mayor, and I am sure the residents and ratepayers of Dunedin will appreciate the constancy and dependability in seeing the chief executive at the helm through this time.”

Mr Harland said he is delighted to accept the opportunity to continue leading the staff of the City Council.

“Personally I think we have achieved a tremendous amount at the City Council over the past four and a half years – though there is still a great deal more to do,” Mr Harland said.

Highlights for Mr Harland in his time at the City Council so far include: Working closely with the community in the preparation of a Strategic Plan which reflected their priorities, being one of the first City Councils in New Zealand to deliver its Long-Term Council Community Plan, revamping the City Council’s second-tier management and accountabilities for managers and staff, promoting an outcome-focussed planning process, introducing enhanced performance management systems and introducing new project management systems. In addition to these has been overseeing the successful rebranding the City under the I AM Dunedin brand, overseeing a zero general rate increase while maintaining service levels, revamping the reporting format to committees with an emphasis on options and their advantages and disadvantages.

A number of projects have also been completed in the four and a half years such as upgrading Moana Pool, St Clair sea wall, Edgar Centre extension, University Oval development, the District Plan has become substantially operative and completion of significant milestones in the water and wastewater areas. Mr Harland said it has been a pleasure to work with councillors and staff on these projects.

“It is particularly satisfying that on my watch the satisfaction with the City Council – as measured by an independent annual survey or residents – has improved markedly. I look forward to continuing to working with staff to lift that satisfaction further and work with all people in the City for its future.”

ENDS

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