MINTO - Director of Fire Services and the town’s deputy treasurer have been appointed as the Town of Minto’s joint interim chief administrative officers to replace current CAO Derrick Thomson.
Town of Minto announced Chris Harrow, director of fire services, and Mark Potter, deputy treasurer, joint interim appointment in a press release on Tuesday after the virtual council meeting.
Derrick Thomson, the town’s current CAO, handed in his letter of resignation in March since he accepted the new CAO position for Bruce County.
“We chose Chris and Mark for the joint role because they both have full-time jobs. We split it up so it wouldn’t be as hard on them to do. It’s an interim situation until the new council hires a new CAO,” explained Mayor George Bridge on the phone.
Harrow is familiar with the position, having served as the interim CAO in 2019 as the town transitioned after the retirement of former CAO and clerk Bill White.
He will be responsible for the operations portion of the portfolio, overseeing the public works and planning and development departments on top of his current responsibilities with Minto Fire.
Meanwhile, Potter will be responsible for the administrative portfolio within the municipality, overseeing the administration, finance, community services and economic development departments.
“Because it’s an election year, we didn’t want to rush hiring a new CAO. To do a proper CAO search, it would take you three or four months until you’re actually ready to do the interviewing. Unfortunately, with the election coming on, you don’t want to do that in case there’s a change in council,” said Bridge.
“I’m not running again, so as a mayor, I would think the new mayor would want to make the decision of who will be the new CAO. That working relationship has to be good between the new mayor and the new CAO. I think there should be an opportunity to pick a new one.”
The CAO is the most senior member of staff in the Town of Minto, reporting directly to council to work together to implement council’s direction and initiatives and responsible for all organizational and operational services for the town.
Harrow and Potter will officially take on their new roles effective April 19.
