LAC LA BICHE - Citing a need for a change of leadership, Lac La Biche County council has voted to end the employment of a long-time administrative manager and their most recent chief administrative officer.
Dan Small's 11-year tenure as a senior municipal administrator came to an end after an in-camera session of council on June 13. An item headlined as "CAO Report from June 6" was the only public reference to the discussion on the meeting's agenda. Small has been the municipal CAO since May of last year.
The CAO position is the only administrative position controlled by elected councillors.
“Council believes that a leadership change is needed,” said Mayor Paul Reutov after the meeting.
The mayor thanked Small for his administrative efforts in the role over the years.
“I would like to thank Mr. Small for his contributions, both as Chief Administrative Officer and as a long-serving municipal employee. We wish him the best in his future endeavours," said Reutov.
In a press release issued last year, Small's contract as the CAO was said to be for four years, ending in June of 2026. County officials have not detailed an severance costs associated with the decision to end the agreement with Small.
Small's big job
Hired by the municipality in 2012, Small has served in a number of administrative roles under four different chief administrative officers. He has been a senior administrator, an associate CAO and an acting interim CAO. He was voted into the CAO seat in 2022, replacing previous administrative boss Ken Van Buul whose one-year contact was not extended by council.
Small came to Lac La Biche County from Thorhild County, where he was the CAO. A chartered professional accountant by trade, Small also has had experience in the oil and gas industry. During his job in Lac La Biche County, he was closely involved with finance, planning, grant applications and land use. Small is also said to have lead the municipal efforts in its transition to a specialized municipality in 2018.
Small is the fifth CAO to leave the position in 10 years.
County councillors have appointed Melanie McConnell as Acting Chief Administrative Officer until a permanent replacement for Small is found.
Municipal officials say that all current County projects, programs, and services — including the $31.5 million Main Street upgrade, the $27 million aquatic centre project and the $7.5 million McArthur Park upgrades — will continue as planned.
