Randy Patrick looks toward the future after stepping down from city manager role

“I always made a joke that when I went into a place, I saw the problems and after a while I couldn’t see it as easy as I used to,” said Patrick.

“At some point you gotta say – you know – you gotta figure out how to look for the problems better or maybe it’s time to go.”

For the outgoing manager, he said the challenges have been “great” and he likes a challenge, but Patrick said he wasn’t willing to commit to another five years as he’s served two full term councils and is on his third.

“I thought it was just time, like I said, bring in some new viewpoints and someone that council can take…what they’re planning on doing,” he said.

“I’d start this council off with as best I can with a good start and then they can proceed with the person that they actually pick themselves.”

Reflecting on his time that will be eight years when he finishes his term – almost to the month – there were experiences and moments that have stayed with him. That includes the pandemic.

“A lot of people don’t know it but this city was one of the few cities that had COVID supplies before COVID hit,” he said of the initiative that began in the months before the shutdowns in March 2020.

“We saw it coming, we got the supplies, we were actually able to supply other organizations in the city because we were an established customer for facemasks and you know, all that sort of stuff.”

Patrick explained their preparedness went even further as they worked with the Town of Battleford to develop a pandemic plan.

“We were ready to go, everything I do is with council. That’s kind of the beauty of it,” he added of the team effort from everyone across the city administration.

Another major project that came to fruition was the success with the work on the Crime Severity Index.

“Major change. It’ll take a year or two for people to know just how just how much change that makes to us,” said the city manager.

“It’s one of those things where in about two years, our reputation drops off because the CSI isn’t comparing us to Toronto.”

Another project that is currently in the works and one Patrick hopes to see realized is the development of a stand-alone college.

“The city’s made an offer to the province on that one and if that one comes, I think that’s one of the better achievements potentially,” he said, adding he wasn’t sure if he’ll be in the role.

However, if there is a future ribbon cutting ceremony, he’ll be there.

“You better believe it,” said Patrick.

As for some of the challenges, much of them are continuing, but the city manager said they are getting better at it.

“We tried to introduce asset management because we have a lot of old assets here and you only have so many dollars,” he said, of the challenges that often plague cities.

“You’ve got to pick very carefully what you need to do, and we’ve been working hard to get that in place. It’s going to take a few more years quite honestly, maybe five to 10 years to get it perfectly working.”

Patrick explained meeting needs is always a challenge, but it was normal, and they would continue to try and improve efficiencies.

“That’s kind of boring for most people but for me it’s kind of fascinating,” he said.

“I really do think what the idea is that hopefully I’ll leave the community a little better than when I got here.”

Now as the last year of his term ticks ever closer to the end, Patrick said he’s grateful to the staff he worked with along the way and credits the city’s success to the team as a whole. He also wanted to thank the residents for “allowing me to help.”

Looking ahead, the city manager has made plans for what comes after: hitting the open road with his new truck and trailer.

“We’re doing cross-country Canada,” he said.

“Hopefully six months of travel and then I’ll decide what I want to do after that.”

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julia.lovettsquires@pattisonmedia.com

On BlueSky: juleslovett.bsky.social

by Julia Lovett-Squires

Randy Patrick looks toward the future after stepping down from city manager role

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