Byron Shire Council is on the cusp of appointing a new General Manager but is keeping the identity of the new boss Top Secret.
The agenda for the upcoming full council meeting on June 21 indicates that the council has selected its candidate for the position, but refers to him or her only as ‘Candidate #4’.
Given that the agenda item is being moved by Mayor Simon Richardson, and his Greens bloc has political control of the council, it appears that the ascension of the mysterious ‘Candidate #4’ to the position of GM is a mere formality.
Cr Richardson’s motion indicates that the new boss will be signed up to a five-year contract, and suggests he or she will be paid the same as the previous general manager Ken Gainger.
They will also be signed up to the standard contract for general managers written by the Office of Local Government which local news junkies can download here.
The appointment of a new GM follows months of vetting and candidate interviews conducted behind closed doors.
The Echo has heard that councillors made at least one trip to the Tweed to interview candidates suggesting they have been looking outside the Shire for the new boss.
Given the Byron community’s passion for local issues and natural wariness of authority figures the new GM can expect plenty of interest when they do finally pull into the prime parking spot at the Council chambers on Station St Mullumbimby.
The official announcement of the new GM is expected soon after the next council meeting on June 21.
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