Here to listen: Regina's new city manager sets out vision

Chris Holden has now been Regina’s city manager for three months.

He was appointed in February after a 38-year career that started as a teenager when he was hired as a lifeguard. Having now settled in to his role, he is developing his vision for the city one that includes more listening than he thinks has been done in the past.

“Listening to our employees, listening to our community leaders, interacting with residents and I think that is important I think that is a bit of a change,” Holden explained.

Holden wants to improve customer service for residents but didn’t explain how he intends to achieve that.

Right now he is focusing on ensuring city hall is a great place to work, and that includes the ideas of every level of worker.

“It’s creating the environment within the different work areas where those employees can come forward and have a conversation,” he said. “We are working very hard to ensure all of our employees feel like the city of regina is great place to work and the leadership and the opportunity to do work that contributes to the city in which you live is their priority.”

Holden has changed the structure of upper management within city hall, which saw the exit of deputy city manager and chief operations officer Brett Sjoberg.