Should Mayerthorpe merge the chief financial officer and CAO roles?

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During their most recent regular meeting, Mayerthorpe councillors explored re-defining the top spot in municipal administration.

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A proposed change to the town’s organization would merge the positions of chief administrative officer (CAO) and chief financial officer (CFO).

“We’re in a vacuum in the finance space – we don’t have a senior finance person,” CAO Chris Leggett told council. 

Leggett has served as Mayerthorpe’s CAO since April 2024, having previously served as CAO in other communities in British Columbia and Alberta. 

The CAO oversees municipal administration and the implementation of town policies while advising council on operations.

During the May 12 meeting, Leggett told council that he was interviewing candidates for a senior accounting position, but that position isn’t “necessarily CFO-level.”

Leggett said that if the CAO and CFO positions are merged, he would continue to present the town budget, financial information and tax rates.

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“This would make it official,” he told council.

The proposed municipal re-organization stirred up some debate among the councillors.

“I don’t like one person having that much control and say over (town) business,” Coun. Anna Greenwood said during the meeting.

“It’s better split between two people having control, with more eyes on things.”

Leggett replied that there would be “checks and balances,” and he wouldn’t be able to sign anything twice, once as the CAO and again as the CFO.

According to council’s agenda package, there wouldn’t be an additional cost to merging the CAO and CFO positions, as Leggett would take on the roles within his contract.

Looking at other municipalities, Leggett said some B.C. communities combine the CAO and CFO positions, but he wasn’t sure about Alberta.

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Coun. Esther Sonnenberg spoke up, saying Leggett understands Mayerthorpe’s numbers better than anyone, and having him as CFO could provide “continuity.”

This could help the new council, with municipal elections across Alberta scheduled for Oct. 20, she said.

Coun. Pat Burns’ motion to defer a decision to a later meeting was carried unopposed, with all members present except Coun. Becky Wells.

Burns said the deferral would provide time for the councillors to think. Leggett added that he could gather information regarding the practices of other Alberta municipalities.

bquarin@postmedia.com

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