By Tyler Marr

Steve Brown out as city’s finance director

Mar 30, 2018 | 10:59 AM

The City of Prince Albert has terminated the services of Finance Director Steve Brown.

According to Mayor Greg Dionne, the decision was made Friday, in what he described as a choice to “go in a different direction.”

“Steve Brown did lots of good work. He straightened out lots of our books and how we should report and he found us lots of cost-saving programs to put into place,” Dionne told paNOW. “But we decided it was time to go our separate ways and we are looking at a different direction.”

In the interim, Dionne said City Manager Jim Toye will appoint an acting director. The mayor added the city already has “a good internal candidate that can do the job,” though stopped short on providing a timeline for the replacement, saying that will rest with Toye.

Despite the provincial budget set to come down April 10, a need to set the city’s mill rate and other outstanding financial matters on the agenda, Dionne said Brown’s departure will not jeopardize or delay these plans and he is confident the finance department will continue to operate efficiently.

International Spotlight

P.A.'s Howe one of 4 Sask. born players named to Canada's World Junior roster

12h ago

National

Ottawa to remove 30% investment cap for Canadian pension funds

15h ago

Budget woes

Golf and curling centre faces grim season without financial boost

19h ago

“Most of those things are handled by two or three staff,” he said. “We have lots of very good qualified and professional staff in play and they will be able to finish this off. The residents of P.A. … won’t notice a difference.”

Dionne said no more administrative departures are expected and that council is pleased with the current slate of staff.

Brown took over the role from ousted former finance director Joe Day in early 2016. Brown previously held the role of corporate services director and has worked as the finance director in Humboldt, with the ministry of government relations and in the private sector.

tyler.marr@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @JournoMarr