Westlock County is on the hunt for a new administrator for the second time this year, and the third time since 2014, after CAO Duane Coleman announced his resignation last week.
After an in-camera session at their June 14 meeting, councillors motioned to allow reeve Bud Massey to approach a recruitment firm for the purpose of hiring a new CAO.
Coleman, who took over as county manager March 24, announced he would take over as CAO of Leduc County effective July 4.
“It was a very tough decision. I enjoy it here and I like the community. It’s been challenging, it’s been fun,” Coleman said.
The former Lac La Biche CAO said he was “just advancing my career” by going to Leduc County, which is part of the Edmonton Capital Region. He also took a $60,000 raise by accepting the position. Coleman’s final day with is June 24, although he said he will try to attend council’s June 28 meeting.
Massey said he and council are disappointed to lose Coleman so soon, but understand his desire to move on.
“We had hoped Duane would be staying, but we believe we’re a good employer, and a good employer should encourage employees who have an opportunity to advance,” Massey said.
“This is a wonderful career opportunity for Duane, although it’s difficult for us as a council.”
Massey said the county has a candidate in mind from the most recent hiring process, merely three months ago.
“We had another individual we were very interested in and that process is moving forward,” he said.
“We have to see if the person is interested in the job and when they would be available.”
If an outside candidate can’t be found soon, Massey said the county has not ruled out promoting someone from within or hiring someone on a short-term contract. Coleman indicated issues at the county were not factors in his decision to leave.
“Absolutely not. It is truly with mixed emotions that I’m leaving,” he said.
“I can honestly say there’s been no challenges here that have scared me off.”
For Coleman, it was never his intention to move on after only three months, but said the new opportunity was too good to decline.
“It really was a timing issue. In a perfect world you spend a number of years in a location and then move on to the next challenge or opportunity,” he explained. “Unfortunately for Westlock County and the folks here, this opportunity came up rather suddenly and it’s hard to pass up on those opportunities when they open.”
The top spot at the county has been a revolving door since Ed LeBlanc left in April 2014. Rick McDonald was hired in the interim and was followed by former Halifax mayor Peter Kelly in September 2014. Coleman took over from Kelly this past spring.
