Hardisty appoints new CAO

In a special meeting of Hardisty Town Council, held Friday, Aug. 22, Sandy Otto, currently Chief Financial Officer for Hardisty, was also appointed as Acting Chief Administrative Officer.

Otto will take the place of former CAO Kevin Miller, who was terminated by Council earlier in the month.

Otto will also fill the position of CAO in Lougheed, until the two municipality’s shared administration agreement expires at the end of October.

Otto is currently working to find qualified public works personnel, and reported Friday, Aug. 26, that she had sent out two offers of employment, and was hopeful that one or both would be accepted.

“We’ve been advertising since April, throughout the province,” she said, “trying to find qualified applicants.”

In the meantime, Hardisty has turned to Killam, whose public works department has been providing water and wastewater coverage in the interim.

Otto confirmed that Hardisty Council has given her the go-ahead to start exploration of a collaboration between Killam and Hardisty.

“Capacity-wise, it seemed like the best choice.”

Otto said Hardisty will likely require Killam’s assistance until mid- to late- September, assuming the offers of employment are accepted.

Leslie Cholowsky
Editor