Release:
Halifax, Nova Scotia (March 1, 2011) – Halifax Regional Council has unanimously chosen the former Deputy City Manager of Toronto as the new Chief Administrative Officer of Halifax Regional Municipality. Richard Butts assumes his new responsibilities March 28, 2011.
“This is an important leadership role within the municipality and we are delighted to have attracted broad interest from top candidates across the country,” says Mr. Kelly. “Mr. Butts was selected for his deep municipal and private sector experience for his proven leadership in citizen-based processes and we look forward to him joining our organization.”
Mr. Butts has over 25 years of experience in municipal government and the private sector, primarily with the City of Toronto, most recently as Deputy City Manager. In that role he was responsible for a capital and operating budget of $2.2 billion and over 10,000 employees with management oversight responsibility for water, solid waste management, fire services, city planning, emergency management, waterfront development, engineering, major capital infrastructure projects and the city’s development application process. Prior to that, he served in increasingly senior roles for Solid Waste Management and Licensing and Standards. Mr. Butts is known for promoting collaboration and innovation across municipal government with emphasis on sound fiscal and organizational management practices and citizen-focussed municipal services.
“I am very happy to be joining HRM and I look forward to working with my new colleagues to deliver on the priorities and achieving the vision that the Mayor and Council have set for HRM,” said CAO Richard Butts.
Mayor Kelly, seven HRM Councillors and the Auditor General participated in the search process with support from Organizational Consulting Limited and received over 60 applications from candidates across Canada.