Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Albert Flootman’s employment with the Town of Ponoka has been terminated, without cause, effective immediately, according to a Sept. 16 news release.
A special council meeting was called on Sept. 15, with two in-camera items on the agenda.
“Ponoka Town Council voted unanimously at a special meeting held yesterday to terminate the employment of the Town’s Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Albert Flootman without cause, effective immediately,” stated the release.
Council also approved a second motion appointing Sandra Lund, the town’s general manager of corporate services, as the town’s new interim CAO.
Lund was the acting CAO for the Sept. 8 council meeting.
“Council decided that it’s time for the town to move in a new corporate direction. We sincerely thank Mr. Flootman for his four and half years of service to this community,” said Mayor Rick Bonnett in the release.
Flootman started with the town in early 2016.
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In the release, Flootman says he accepts council’s decision to move in a new direction.
“It’s been a privilege and an honour to serve the town in this capacity over the last four and a half years,” he said.
“I’m very proud of the successes the town’s administrative team has achieved in that time. I wish the town and the community continued success into the future.”
According to the town, they will not be looking for a permanent replacement until after a new mayor and council is elected in fall 2021.
Mayor Bonnett expressed confidence in interim CAO Lund.
All current projects and town operations are continuing.
The town plans to outline details of its new corporate direction in the near future as it enters the final year of its current four-year term.