Kamloops Council does NOT require or need a change in its CAO/Chief Administrative Officer

Editorial: 

Last week – Richard Wilbur of Kamloops Critic, a Kamloops-based website that writes on governance issues in relation to Kamloops City Council, wrote that, in his opinion, that the office of Kamloops’ Chief Administrative Officer should be “reset” by way of a change in that office, in light of the well covered governance challenges on Kamloops Council since the beginning of this term on November 1, 2022 – you can read his editorial at https://kamloopscritic.ca/post/2025/kamloops-cao-reset-city-hall/

Mr. Wilbur correctly stated that: 

Calls to replace a (local government’s) Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) should never be made lightly. In a well-functioning (local government), such decisions are not driven by ideology, personal conflict, or political gamesmanship. They are driven by governance.

As he states above – calls to change the occupant of CAO at a local government in BC should not done lightly but with great and extreme care including receiving of significant legal advice as it would be one of the biggest (if not the biggest) decision a BC Local Government and its' elected officials would make in its’ term of elected office

He is also correct when identifying the role of the Chief Administrative Officer (and by extension, his or her staff) as: 

• Provide fearless, neutral, non-partisan advice to Kamloops City Council 

• Ensure procedural fairness and transparency (to Kamloops Council in presenting all the facts for its’ consideration) 

• Implement Council direction faithfully, fully (and loyally to the current elected Kamloops City Council and NOT a future one)

• Protect public trust in civic processes

• Maintain a strict separation between administration and political outcomes

In a term of local government in British Columbia -- There are many opportunities to expand the knowledge of local government at the political level including two individuals who are significantly sought after for educating elected officials who include George Cuff and Linda Adams.  I have included their past presentations at BC’s Local Government Leadership Academy: 

1) George Cuff -- https://lgla.ca/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/George-Cuff-LGLA2014.pdf

2) Linda Adams -- https://lgla.ca/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/2016-LGLA-Elected-Staff-Relations-Adams-Horth.pdf

While I don't agree nor share in the conclusions’ of Mr. Wilbur in relation to changing the occupant in the office of the CAO in the City of Kamloops, I can appreciate and respect some of his analysis - I can concur that there is definitely a governance challenge in Kamloops which has been well notarized by many local media reports and the recent report of former Abbotsford Mayor Henry Braun – both within Kamloops City Council itself as well as between some members of the public and the full Kamloops City Council (Mayor + 8 Councillors’) which ultimately will be resolved when the voters of Kamloops enter the polling booth on October 17, 2026 to elect a new Kamloops Mayor and 8 Kamloops City Councillors for a new 4 year term from 2026-2030

After this date, I would suggest that would be the opportunity for the new 2026-2030 Kamloops City Council to build a refreshed and strengthened relationship between them and their chief administrative officer which will be informed by best practices in BC Local Government as well as forthcoming updated provincial legislation in relation to strengthened Codes of Conducts for local elected officials, which is currently anticipated to be tabled in the Spring 2026 session of the BC Legislature (also applicable to other BC Local Governments', whether Municipal Councils' or Regional District Boards')

But now is NOT the time to change the current occupant of CAO for the City of Kamloops, with less than ten months to go before the October 17, 2026 City of Kamloops Local General Elections (Mayor, Councillors and School Trustees)

Note: This editorial is my personal opinion and is not connected to my elected role as Cariboo Regional District Electoral Area “D” Director

District of Wells hires a new CAO/Chief Administrative Officer

Courtesy of the District of Wells:

The District of Wells Council is pleased to announce Mr. Jerry Dombowsky as its new Chief Administrative Officer (CAO).  Mr. Dombowsky will be joining the District of Wells full-time on October 10th, 2023, and “on-boarding” until then as he transitions from his full-time employment with the City of Kelowna.  

Council reviewed 14 applications for CAO, interviewed five candidates, and arrived at Mr. Dombowsky as the lead candidate in the process.  Mr. Dombowsky has a home in Wells, BC, and we are excited to have him join us as our CAO and full-time citizen of Wells.

Mr. Dombowsky has spent the last 25 years in a variety of roles of increasing responsibility with the City of Kelowna, including managing the transit operation, environmental programming, active transportation, parking management, community event delivery, and land negotiation.  He is well seasoned in contract management, staff management and development, media relations, and liaison with all levels of government.  

His experience with Mayor and Council is broad, entailing ongoing reporting, budget preparation and management of Council Committees.  Prior to joining the City of Kelowna, he was employed by Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation as a Senior Project Analyst. With a background in Commerce and Business Administration Jerry brings common sense, strong leadership, and accountability to the role of CAO.  

Mr. Dombowsky will help Council and the Community continue to implement the District of Wells 2022 to 2032 Business Plan.  His expertise, experience, proven professionalism, and skills will greatly benefit our Community in its implementation.  

For more information contact Wells Mayor Ed Coleman at 250-991-9034 or edcoleman@wells.ca 

Cariboo RD appoints new CAO/Chief Administrative Officer

Courtesy of the Cariboo Regional District:

Murray Daly,
newly appointed Cariboo RD CAO

 The Cariboo Regional District Board of Directors is pleased to announce the appointment of Murray Daly to the role of Chief Administrative Officer (CAO). Mr. Daly was selected through a competitive recruitment process that garnered multiple applications from across Canada. He will assume his new role on May 15, 2023.

Murray is originally from southern Vancouver Island and moved to Terrace in 2009 to begin his career in local government with the Regional District of Kitimat-Stikine. During his time with the RDKS, he held multiple positions ranging from bylaw enforcement to environmental services. In 2020, Murray and his family relocated to Clinton where he assumed the role of Chief Administrative Officer for the Village of Clinton.  Murray is delighted to be returning to a Regional District and is particularly excited to join the team at the Cariboo Regional District.  “From living as far south as one can in BC to working and seeing its most northern regions, our family has grown to very much love the Cariboo. My wife and I are thrilled that the next phase of my career will allow us to remain in this area and our children are looking forward to exploring all the many clubs and recreational opportunities that Williams Lake and the surrounding area has to offer.” 

“We are excited to have Mr. Daly join the Cariboo Regional District to lead the organization and provide strategic support to the Board of Directors,” states Cariboo Regional District Board Chair Margo Wagner, “Murray comes into the position with a good understanding of how regional districts function and the unique aspects of delivering local government services in a geographically large, diverse region and he will be a great addition to our team.”

Cariboo Regional District CAO Job Posting

The Cariboo Regional District is seeking candidates for the position of Chief Administrative Officer

Full details on the job opportunity can be viewed here

WLFN looks for new Chief Administrative Officer

Courtesy of Williams Lake First Nation:

Williams Lake First Nation (WLFN) today announced that it will be actively recruiting for a new Chief Administrative Officer in the first quarter of 2023 to replace the incumbent CAO, Aaron Mannella. 

“We were saddened to hear that Aaron has plans to move closer to his family in Prince George,” states WLFN Kukpi7 (Chief ) Willie Sellars. “We have accomplished a huge amount over the last few years, and WLFN is on an incredible roll right now. We would love to keep our current team intact, but we understand that sometimes our staff need to make decisions that reflect the best interests of their families.” 

 Aaron Mannella assumed the role of Chief Administrative Officer in 2019 and has overseen operations during three years of dramatic growth and evolution. Some of the highlights of Aaron’s tenure include the design and construction of WLFN’s newly constructed government building on Quigli Drive, the resolution of the WLFN Village Claim and establishment of the WLFN Community Trust, the execution of the first government-to-government agreement under section 119 of the Cannabis Control and Licensing Act and the resulting establishment of Unity Cannabis and Sugar Cane Cannabis, the first WLFN competitive pow wow, dramatic expansion of WLFN community and market housing, and numerous other major capital projects. 

 “I feel immense gratitude towards the Williams Lake First Nation’s leadership, staff, and partners,” reflected Aaron Mannella. “Above all, I want to hold up and applaud this beautiful community who has welcomed me with open arms and showed me special kindness that has enriched me both personally and professionally. As my wife, daughter, and I seek to return to our hometown of Prince George to draw closer to family, I remain energized by WLFN’s strategic priorities and look forward to supporting Chief and Council and WLFN’s government through the transition.” 

 Further information on the CAO opportunity can be found on WLFN’s website at www.wlfn.ca/cao. 

 “We will have some big shoes to fill,” adds Kukpi7 Sellars. “WLFN has grown immensely, and our organization is now multi-faceted and complex. We have high expectations in terms of the quality of programs and services we deliver to our members. And we want to continue to grow our businesses and revenues, but also serve as true stewards of our reserve and traditional lands. It’s a tall order to fill for any CAO candidate. We’re grateful that Aaron will be around for a while, and hopefully long enough to allow for a smooth transition to a new Chief Administrative Officer.”