With the village鈥檚 chief administrative officer (CAO) absent, the mayor on vacation and no director of finance, many are wondering who鈥檚 actually running the municipality.

On Monday, the Village of 亚洲天堂 Lake announced that Rebecca Billard, who鈥檚 been working as 亚洲天堂 Lake鈥檚 city clerk for approximately four months, was appointed as acting CAO in the absence of the current CAO - Sheryl Worthing.

At this point, Billard is not designated on the CAO鈥檚 statutory responsibilities; however, council is investigating the need.

鈥淚f necessary, [council] will make the designation in a public meeting,鈥� said Acting Mayor John Illes.

Lakes District 亚洲天堂 asked Illes if council considered finding a CAO with more experience in local government such as a recently retired administrator. The Local Government Management Association of B.C. can often assist municipalities by connecting them with recently retired administrators, who may be available on an interim basis.

Illes explained that, in a special meeting, council decided to make 鈥渁n acting CAO schedule鈥� in which the village鈥檚 senior employees will take turns as acting CAO every two weeks. The next employee to act as CAO is director of public works Dale Ross, who started working for the village in 2016.

Meanwhile the village鈥檚 former director of finance, Bernice Crossman, is providing financial oversight to the village while the recruitment process for a new director continues. And while Mayor Chris Beach is currently out of the community on a vacation, councillor Illes is the acting mayor.

鈥淢ayor and council are completely confident that the leadership team for the Village of 亚洲天堂 Lake will continue to move the business of the village forward,鈥� said the press release.