Sooke efforts to find a permanent chief administrative officer took another turn this week, with Jeremy Denegar rescinding acceptance of the position as he continues to grieve over the death of his spouse.
Denegar was selected by district council in July. However, his start date was pushed to Oct. 16 due to the death of his spouse, Kevin Taylor, in early August.
Taylor died suddenly at Lillooet Hospital and Health Centre on Aug. 6. A statement asked for privacy for Denegar and Taylor’s family.
“I appreciate the understanding of council, staff and everyone in the community as I come to this difficult decision. Out of respect for Sooke, I must step back to allow for more healing and grant the community the opportunity for a leader who can wholeheartedly meet the district’s needs,” Denegar said in a written statement.
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Mayor Maja Tait expressed her “deep admiration” for Denegar, highlighting his evident dedication to Sooke in making the decision.
Interim CAO Raechel Gray will continue to serve as CAO until June, as the mayor and council meet to determine the next steps. Council will again use an executive search agency to find a new CAO.
Tait said in the coming months council’s focus will be on the 2024 budget, the strategic plan, and the much-delayed official community plan (OCP).
Denegar’s decision not to relocate to Sooke represents an ongoing challenge for the district in filling key positions. Besides the CAO role, the district actively seeks candidates for positions such as corporate services director, manager of human resources, planning and development administrator, chief building official, and building inspector.
Sooke has grappled with years of management instability, experiencing eight different CAOs and multiple interim fill-ins since its incorporation in 1999. The departure of former CAO Norm McInnis, who was replaced on an interim basis, further highlighted the district’s need for a stable leadership transition.
Earlier this year, consultant Jonathan Huggett published a report urging the council to address issues related to management, staff morale, and local government procedures. Huggett recommended the immediate hiring of a new CAO with specific qualities, such as accessibility, the ability to motivate senior staff, and extensive experience in B.C. municipal government.