Since the new iteration of council that was elected in 2022, the RM of Gimli has experienced some turnover with its top administrators, and has hired an interim chief administrative officer (CAO) who will start this week.
The municipality lost Doreen Steg as assistant CAO in 2023 and Kristin Strachan as assistant CAO just a few months ago. Steg moved into the RM’s finance department and Strachan decided to leave the RM altogether. Chief administrative officer Kelly Cosgrove stepped down from her position this week to assume the assistant CAO job.
The CAO is the manager of a municipality, directing daily administrative affairs, providing leadership and advice, managing staff and overseeing the budget, among a myriad of other duties, in accordance with the Manitoba Municipal Act. The assistant CAO provides high level support to the CAO and the municipality. CAOs are required to work closely with the position of mayor and provide support to council.
The Express reached out to the RM, asking if mayor Kevin Chudd or other councillors would like to comment on the changes in administrative roles.
Councillor Thora Palson responded to the newspaper, paying tribute on behalf of council to Cosgrove for her leadership and saying she’ll remain a central part of the administration.
“Mayor and council would like to recognize the valued work of Kelly Cosgrove and appreciate her leadership in Gimli’s administration,” said Palson last Sunday. “As we look towards succession planning and moving forward with our modernization of governance, Kelly’s new role will be as assistant CAO and she’ll continue to be a central figure in our administrative organization.”
Palson said the RM has entered into agreement with Jim Fenske, who will assume the top management position starting July 9.
Fenske will help the RM “move forward with our administrative management model,” said Palson. “Mr. Fenske’s role will be interim CAO and we look forward to working with him.”
