The chief administrative officer (CAO) for the Town of Irricana, Barrie Hutchinson, is undergoing a formal review this week, after multiple complaints were levelled against him by residents.
The Town of Irricana has hired management consultancy firm Strategic Steps Inc., to conduct a review to better understand the complaints against Hutchinson and the circumstances surrounding allegations submitted under the Town’s Code of Conduct Bylaw.
According to a letter to the Town, Strategic Steps Inc. is meeting with each member of council, the CAO, some members of the community, and selected Town staff during the three-day review from April 20 to 22. The purpose of these interviews is to gather necessary information and knowledge to create an evidence and fact-based report that will be presented to council during a closed session at the conclusion of the review, according to the firm.
The review and interviews are confidential and subject to the rules of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FOIP), according to Strategic Steps Inc. Upon completion of the review, the final report will become the property of Irricana council.
“All members of council and staff involved in the review are encouraged to speak freely and without fear of reprisal,” stated a letter from Deanna Lennox of Strategic Steps. “If you have any written documentation or notes that you believe are relevant to this review, we would appreciate receiving copies of them in advance of our initial meeting with you, if possible.”
Interviews are scheduled for one hour each to ensure fairness and equity to all participants.
When contacted by the Rocky View Weekly, Lennox said she could not provide comment on the formal review.
Hutchinson did not respond to multiple requests to provide comment about the accusations or the formal review.
The Rocky View Weekly also reached out to Irricana’s deputy mayor Kim Schmaltz, who explained he could not provide any comment prior to the investigation.
