The job reduction is part of an ongoing initiative, spearheaded by board member George Kling, to reduce the layers of management and shrink salary costs.
Fire Chief Garry DeJong said he would follow the board’s mandate and make sure McMahan’s departure doesn’t negatively impact either the department or the public. “The board is trying to find ways to make the organization more effective and efficient, and that’s where we are headed,” DeJong said.
The news came as a surprise to McMahan, who has been in the job for 14 months.