Sechelt has hired a permanent CAO to replace interim administrator Bill Beamish. Tim Palmer will start as Sechelt’s new chief administrative officer on Jan. 18.
“As we recently completed an organizational review, our search for a CAO focused on individuals with proven abilities in guiding councils and staff through changes aimed at building effective and efficient local governments,” said Sechelt Mayor Bruce Milne.
“Council is confident that Tim’s experience in administration and the management of infrastructure and his involvement in reviews of a range of municipal services make him the right person for this job.”
For the past 26 years, Palmer has worked in a number of municipalities in B.C., taking his first assignment as CAO in 2007 in Burns Lake. Palmer retired from a CAO position in Revelstoke in February 2015 but continued to work as a consultant, helping communities like Nakusp and Sicamous recruit new administrators.
“While I have enjoyed working with and adding value to a number of communities, I realized that I much prefer a longer commitment to a community to see initiatives carried out to completion. Community and lifestyle are very important to me. Sechelt’s amazing natural amenities are a great attraction for my wife and [me],” Palmer said.
He will soon move to the Coast with his wife Jacqueline Palmer, a well-established artistic potter who’s excited about the opportunity to continue her work in Sechelt.
The pair will stay in a short-term accommodation while looking for a home to buy in Sechelt.
The year ahead will be busy for Palmer who’s tasked with helping Sechelt secure permanent senior staff.
“My number one priority will be to establish the senior team of professionals to provide service excellence in the community,” Palmer said.
“To ensure we recruit individuals who will be the right fit for the community, I plan to actively engage with leaders and organizations as well as a broad spectrum of residents to gain as much insight into the community as possible within the first few months.”
He sees a number of other priorities coming out of the district’s 2015-18 strategic plan.
“From my perspective it is essential to affirm and/or adjust the strategic vision for the community to ensure all staff are committed to the community-based priorities. Subsequent to this affirmation of vision, it is important that new action plans are established to ensure appropriately allocated resources are directed to fulfill these commitments,” Palmer said.
“Additionally, it is important that we are able to respond effectively to unforeseen events such as the sinkholes or emergencies that are typically inevitable. Effective communication with citizens and stakeholders is critical for success. The most important component of communications for me is to listen and learn, then respond appropriately with respect.”
Milne is looking forward to working with Palmer and getting the rest of the senior team settled. Currently Sechelt has an interim chief financial officer and corporate officer as well as an acting director of development services.
“We wanted to conclude the CAO appointment before the other three senior positions to ensure that the new CAO would have a role in the selection of the new team. It may influence the decision of potential candidates, once they know the decision we have made for the CAO position,” Milne said.
“We expect the full management team to be in place by the end of the first quarter (March 31).”
Milne expressed his appreciation for interim CAO Bill Beamish, who served the District of Sechelt for 12 months.
“Bill earned the trust and respect of council and staff for his exceptional administrative abilities,” Milne said. “He guided us during a difficult time of organizational change and provided outstanding support when we met the unexpected challenges associated with the Seawatch development, the release of the AGLG report and the recommendations of the organizational and management review.”
