Actions taken by Saanich Mayor Richard Atwell to force chief administrator Paul Murray out the door have been condemned by his council and will cost the municipality $480,000.
After hours of in-camera sessions spread out over several days, Saanich issued a statement Tuesday evening saying the municipality and Murray have “mutually agreed” to part company.
The statement also says that at a Dec. 8 in-camera meeting councillors unanimously supported a motion distancing themselves from Atwell’s actions in the matter:
“Council does not support the actions taken by Mayor Richard Atwell whether as mayor-elect or mayor with respect to the ongoing employment of Paul Murray as chief administrative officer of the District of Saanich.”
A news release from Saanich says the in-camera meeting Dec. 8 was the first opportunity for the entire council to discuss Atwell’s actions with regard to Murray’s employment. They had no prior knowledge of what Atwell was doing and had not agreed to it.
Sources told the Times Colonist last week that prior to being sworn in, Atwell, accompanied by lawyer Troy DeSouza, who does not work for the municipality, met with Murray to tell him Atwell wanted him gone.
“The actions taken by Mayor Atwell left council with no viable options other than to proceed to end the employment relationship with Mr. Murray,” the statement says. “Council is also concerned about the financial impact the mayor’s actions have had on the citizens of Saanich — a total payment of $476,611 [inclusive of accrued vacation of $55,448].” The statement says that is equivalent to a half a percentage increase in taxes that could have been used elsewhere.
“All I can say is: ‘Who is going to be leading council in Saanich? The jury is still out.’ But someone will lead,” said veteran Coun. Leif Wergeland.
The statement said no further comment will be made on Murray’s departure. “The district thanks Mr. Murray for his service and wishes him every success in his future endeavours.”
Murray began his career in Saanich in 2001 as director of corporate projects. He was appointed director of finance in 2004 and took over the municipality’s top job in 2012 when former administrator Tim Wood retired.
