Not only will Grand Forks will be getting an almost entirely new council beginning on Dec. 1, but a new chief administrative officer (CAO) will be stepping into that role.
In a press release on Nov. 24, the City of Grand Forks announced that CAO Doug Allin has stepped down.
“In keeping with the terms of his contract, there was a mutual agreement between council and Mr. Allin to enact provisions within his contract regarding Mr. Allin’s employment and as a result he is no longer employed by the City of Grand Forks,” said Sarah Winton, deputy corporate officer/communications, in the release.
Current corporate officer Diane Heinrich has been appointed the acting CAO in the interim.
“City council really appreciates Doug’s work with the city,” said Mayor Brian Taylor. “He has done an excellent job in bringing about a higher level of engagement and moving the community forward. It has been a pleasure working with him and we wish Doug all the best in his future endeavours.”
In a statement from Allin, he said: “I would like to thank Mayor Taylor and council for their exceptional leadership and thank our team for an incredible experience. The city is fortunate to have such a talented and dedicated staff in all departments that take so much pride in the community. I am grateful for my time in Grand Forks and for the opportunity to work with so many amazing people. Thank you.”
In an interview with the Gazette on Monday, Taylor said that Allin has been the best administrator he has worked with in his long history in politics.
“Doug is a talented man who did a lot of good for the city in the time that he was here,” he said.
Taylor said that the actions taken by council with Allin stepping down were in the best interests of the city.
Council met with Allin in an in-camera meeting Friday morning.
Heinrich was immediately named as acting CAO for a six-month period. Winton was named as acting corporate officer also for the same period. After six-months, or before, council can decide to hire Heinrich on as regular CAO or search for a new CAO.
According to Winton, Allin and his family have left the area. He does not have any job lined up.
Allin was CAO in Grand Forks for just over two years. He replaced Lynne Burch, who had retired.