Donna Tona has taken over as interim CAO for the Town of Rimbey.
Tona, from Werkz Inc., has been hired by the town to work in partnership with Lori Hillis, the acting CAO for the town.
Tona spent some time working for the town this summer. At this time she delved into town policies and bylaws and restructuring town bylaws.
In her position as interim CAO she has plans to update planning and land use files. “We need to get all our ducks in a row,” she said. “There are many fronts to look at. Things need fixing. There are gaps,” she added, noting some policies date back to 1989. “We need to build some good building blocks and then it will be easy to move the municipality forward.”
She noted bylaws and correspondence needs to be researched and placed in a chronological report so administration understands which development permit fees correspond to the proper bylaws.
A new filing system has been put in place and a new municipal interim is to come on board. Funding for the interim is coming from a provincial grant.
Tona said she is pleased to be working with Lori Hillis.
“How many municipalities have a chartered accountant as their chief financial officer?” she said. “We are lucky to have her.”
During her time in Rimbey this summer, Tona was paid $1,200 a day for her services.
She is now being paid $111,000 annually (pro rated for the days that she is in the municipality) the same rate per day as the salary paid to the former CAO, Lucien Cloutier. She will receive no paid benefits. Mileage is to be paid for one day per week.
Tona said she plans to work in Rimbey two to two and a half days per week and foresees the position lasting six months to a year.
“It is really gratifying to work in my home town,” she said.