No one will ever fill Peter Liepa's shoes. City tries and fails

Job search to replace city tax collector comes up dry

Unable to find a qualified replacement for Peter Liepa, the city is planning to restructure its tax division, saving $16,000 a year. Oh. They've already come up with a way to spend the savings

City of Sault Ste. Marie tax collector Peter Liepa is retiring at the end of this month.

The city tried to find someone with comparable wisdom, leadership savvy and technical wizardry.

No cigar.

They couldn't find anyone qualified to properly fill Liepa's shoes.

The unsuccessful job search persuaded the city to instead restructure its tax division.

The tax collector position as a non-union management job will be eliminated.

As of Apr. 1, city accounting manager Christine Pascall is expected to also oversee the tax division.

A new hire, an assessment and collection supervisor, will assist Pascall with technical and collection support.

This departmental shuffle is expected to save $16,000 a year.

On Monday, City Council will be asked to approve Pascall as combined manager of accounting/tax collector.

Councillors will also be asked to reassign the $16,000 savings to hire a consultant to help with evaluating tax assessment at risk and assessment appeals over the next year or two.

SooToday will livestream Monday's City Council meeting starting at 4:30 p.m.