Former Westlock County CAO Edward LeBlanc was paid $150,000 after he left the county, or roughly the equivalent of one year’s salary.
Reeve Bud Massey said last Thursday the settlement has been finalized, and while he didn’t say he was happy with the figure, he’s happy to see the matter resolved.
“I am pleased that the issue is behind us and we can move forward with a new chief administrative officer,” he said.
LeBlanc left the county after council passed a motion following an in-camera discussion at its April 22 meeting to repeal his appointment as CAO.
Massey described the change as a “mutual parting of ways.” A severance is typically only paid in the event the employee is fired from the organization, and not in the event an employee quits.
He said the agreement to pay a severance is a way to recognize LeBlanc’s 29 years of service with the county, and is in keeping with what other municipalities have done.
“I can’t give you any names, but I’ve heard in discussions with our councillors where there have been mutual parting-of-the-ways in other counties, and there have been similar packages,” he said.
Massey emphasized the severance figure in LeBlanc’s employment contract was “considerably more money” than the $150,000 paid out, but would not say how much more.
When asked if other county employees would be eligible for a similar severance when leaving the county, Massey wouldn’t say.
“To my knowledge, the only person that has that severance package is the only employee of council,” he said. “I’m not aware of the terms of other managers in the county, because that’s not brought to us for information.”
He added he believes other managers have been paid severance when they left the county, but couldn’t say for sure because he wasn’t on council at the time of those payouts.
The job competition for a replacement CAO closed Aug. 11, and Massey said there are four candidates on the short list.
Interviews are scheduled for today, Aug. 19, and Massey said he expects someone will be hired shortly thereafter, if not on the day itself.
He said in negotiating a contract with the replacement CAO, council will look at the issues of salary and severance closely.
“I would hope that we’re able to negotiate an agreement that’s more protective of the ratepayers,” he said.
