Regina city manager Chris Holden dismissed by city council

Regina city council dismissed city manager Chris Holden on Monday.

“I think with some of the major initiatives that we have underway, it’s a strategic decision to bring in a new city manager while some of these were getting off the ground,” Mayor Sandra Masters said after a special council meeting at which the termination was voted on.

“To have someone come in a year from now or a year and a half from now puts them a little behind. We felt new leadership was needed now to carry that leadership forward.”

Masters pointed to things like the transformation office, community safety and well-being plans as well as plans to achieve net zero emissions by 2050.

Andrew Stevens was the only city councillor to vote against the dismissal during the special council meeting. Coun. Dan LeBlanc wasn’t present for the meeting.

According to a media release, Holden spent more than 40 years with the City of Regina, working first in community services and then moving on to director of parks and open spaces, director of community services, and director of communications before becoming city manager.

“A lot of the initiatives that we are undertaking are going to require a lot of energy and a lot of time so probably not likely (Holden’s contract) was going to be renewed in March of 2024,” Masters said.

A document issued by the city said Holden was appointed city manager on March 1, 2016 for a term of up to five years. In September of 2020, council extended his contract for another three years “unless ended sooner or extended as per his employment contract.”

Council chose to end the contract Monday.

Masters said she has had several conversations with Holden about this plan.

“He agreed and recognized with the transformation office and what the intentions are coming out of it, that it probably made some sense and it was a very cordial conversation,” Masters said.

Masters said that since the contract was terminated, Holden is eligible for 17 months of severance.

The search for a new city manager is expected to take six to nine months. The interim city manager will be Jim Nicol, who’s currently the city clerk. Amber Ackerman will be the interim city clerk.

Councillors who were present approved the appointments of Nicol and Ackerman.

— With files from 980 CJME’s Britton Gray