City Manager Deborah Sargent Announces Retirement After 35 Years

The City of Campbell River is looking for a new manager.

City Manager Deborah Sargent has announced her retirement, following an impressive 35-year career in local government.

Sargent began her career as a land use planning professional, working with local governments and as a consultant on land use planning and community development initiatives.

In 2007 she took on the role of Chief Administrative Officer with the Town of Smithers, before taking the City Manager role with Campbell River in 2015.

As City Manager, Sargent played an instrumental role in establishing the Municipal and Regional District Hotel Tax, revitalizing Campbell River’s approach to tourism and integrating the economic development office into the City.

She established close working relationships with BC Housing, which resulted in significant new BC Housing investments in the City, and also oversaw the City development processes for 2176 new dwelling units.

Sargent maintained and improved significant City assets and expanded opportunities, including the NI911 dispatch center, the regional organics facility, rehabilitation of the Sportsplex, and the recent completion of the waterfront upgrades along highway 19A.

“During my time on Council, and now as Mayor, Deborah Sargent has demonstrated a strong and collaborative leadership style and deep knowledge of municipal governance, as City Manager,” said Mayor Kermit Dahl. “The support she has provided over the years for staff, Council and the community is appreciated and well respected and on behalf of the City, I thank her for the contributions that she has made.”

Sargent’s last day on the job is December 15th and the city says the search is on for her replacement.