FORMER Kingston Council CEO Julie Reid still had more than two years to run on her contract when she departed the organisation.
Last week, Kingston Council made the sudden announcement that Ms Reid had left to take up a job as executive director of Local Government Victoria.
Ms Reid was appointed to the CEO role in July 2019, and signed a four year contract. Now after just 18 months, she has left.
Kingston Council has told The News that Ms Reid’s contract was not paid out when she departed.
“Ms Reid’s contract was not paid out so there will be no additional cost to ratepayers,” Kingston mayor Steve Staikos said.
“Julie Reid was engaged on a four-year contract with the City of Kingston in July 2019 and led the organisation during a challenging time. We are disappointed to farewell CEO Julie Reid so soon, but we understand that this new role is an amazing opportunity, and we look forward to working closely with her in her future role.”
Councillors discussed “CEO employment matters” numerous times in confidential meetings last year, but the outcome of those discussions has not been made public. The News has asked numerous times for clarification on these matters, but the question was once again not directly answered when posed last week.
“Council is unable to comment on items discussed in confidential business at our council meetings. Where possible, confidential items are made public at a later date. The CEO’s employment contract is published on our website for the public to view,” Cr Staikos said.
The secrecy of those CEO discussions caused debate among councillors last year (“Serious issues aired behind closed doors”, The News, 3/6/20).
First published in the Chelsea Mordialloc Mentone News – 20 January 2021