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Councillors question former CAO’s extended contract

Some Westlock County councillors are regretting the terms of recently departed CAO Peter Kelly compensation.

Some Westlock County councillors are regretting the terms of recently departed CAO Peter Kelly compensation.

At their April 26 meeting, councillors reviewed Kelly’s final invoice, which saw the former administrator paid $19,530 in exchange for consultation services.

“We’re supposed to look after the taxpayers interest. This was done under extremely questionable circumstances,” Coun. Dennis Primeau said.

Council approved the deal Feb. 22 to pay the outgoing administrator a month’s salary in exchange for one month of in-person consultation, followed by two months of phone availability. At last week’s meeting CAO Duane Coleman said that he never requested Kelly’s consultation.

In addition to his salary, the deal paid Kelly $2,000 in vacation pay and $3,800 in benefits. Kelly worked nine of the 17 working days within that pay period, while his consultation period has yet to end.

“That works out to well over $2,000 a day,” Primeau said. “It’s got a bad smell to it.”

Reeve Bud Massey said that it was all part of a deal that council agreed.

“We agreed to keep Mr. Kelly on and in addition give him one month with all of his pay and benefits. The decision on how much he would be utilized would be up to the new CAO,” Massey said, noting that Primeau, himself, had supported the motion.

Massey took the time to praise Kelly’s commitment and expressed disbelief at the councillor’s change of heart.

“I would like to say that Mr. Kelly gave us really good service. He put all kinds of hours in. I do not believe that Mr. Kelly shortchanged us.”

Coun. Ron Zadunayski also defended the choice to retain Kelly.

“He came in here on Saturdays and Sundays. He had no family and no commitments and came into the office in the mornings and until eight o’clock at night,” Zadunayski said.

“How many hours were put in by Mr. Kelly on the [Tawatinaw Valley] chalet issue?”

“He screwed us,” countered Coun. Ray Marquette.

“It’s funny how our memory is convenient at times,” Coun. Albert St. Louis said, referencing the Feb. 22 vote.

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