One of the biggest misconceptions about municipal government is that Council runs the day-to-day operations.
They don't.
Council's job is to set the vision, approve policies, pass budgets, and make decisions on behalf of the community. Once those decisions are made, it's the municipality's Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) and the senior management team that turns them into action.
Think of it this way:
👥 Council decides what should be done.
⚙️ Senior Management determines how it gets done.
The CAO is appointed by Council and handles the leadership and general management of the Township. The Senior Management team reports to the CAO and is comprised of six (6) Directors leading the following departments:
- Corporate Services;
- Communications and Strategic Projects;
- Development Services;
- Finance;
- Fire and Emergency Services; and,
- Public Works & Recreation Department.
The CAO is the municipality's most senior administrative employee. Think of the CAO as the link between Council and municipal staff.
The CAO's responsibilities often include:
- Providing professional, non-political advice to Council
- Leading the municipality's day-to-day operations
- Ensuring Council's decisions are implemented
- Coordinating work across all municipal departments
- Advising Council on strategic priorities, budgets, and organizational issues
- Making sure the municipality operates efficiently and complies with legislation
Each Director is responsible for:
- Leading their department and staff
- Managing departmental budgets
- Developing policies and reports for Council's consideration
- Delivering the services residents rely on every day
- Identifying challenges and recommending solutions
While Council decides what the municipality wants to achieve, the CAO and Directors determine how those decisions are put into practice.
Senior management serves the entire municipality - not individual members of Council - and their role is to provide objective, professional advice, regardless of politics.
A strong municipality depends on a healthy partnership:
🏛️ Council provides leadership and direction.
👔 CAO and Senior management provides professional expertise and operational leadership.
👷 Municipal staff deliver the services residents rely on every day.
Understanding these different roles helps explain why good municipal government is truly a team effort.