MUSKOKA - The District of Muskoka is on the hunt for a new CAO.
As of July, current CAO Jim Green is retiring, leaving a key position at the district office vacant.
Council approved a selection committee consisting of the chairs of the district’s committees to choose the most likely candidate through a request for proposal process including an external executive search firm. Council will then approve the final candidate.
Though not all councilors were comfortable with the decision initially, Coun. Ruth Nishikawa vouched for the process from her recent experience in selecting a CAO for the Township of Muskoka Lakes.
“I’m very aware that it was better with the committee narrowing it down to that individual,” she said. “I think I have faith with the chairs that represent our committees.”
Some suggested adding councillors who have experience with a similar process to the committee, others suggested the committee bring a short list to council, while others suggested only the one or two final ones being chosen.
Bracebridge Mayor Graydon Smith said the process is not what matters.
“Having been through a number of these hirings in a variety of positions, the cream rises to the top regardless of the selection committee. I have all the faith the selected committee proposed will get the right name or names before council to consider,” he said.
Council approved the selection committee to do the work and present the final candidate to council.