Lindsay Barron grew up in Tay Township and as the municipality's new chief administrative officer, she wants to help lead the municipality into modernization.
"I had aspired to be working in a business strategic role," she said while thinking back on her aspirations growing up in Tay. "My heart is definitely in the community."
Barron is now moving up the municipal ladder. Previously, she served as the financial analyst to the CAO.
"Technology is a huge piece," Barron said of her vision for the new position, "so looking at some of our systems and modernizing processes by having more of an outward-facing presence through online services.
"I have a business background and part of the job that really interested me most was the strategic planning and the business aspects of the township," she added. "This position allows me to take that on."
The challenge, Barron said, is serving both a younger and older demographic.
Barron, whose mother was in municipal government for 42 years, said she wants to work with staff and council to make sure the township adapts to remain relevant while keeping up its service delivery.
"Council has sat down and identified a number of priorities," she said. "It's now just looking at those priorities one-by-one and looking at the resources we need to carry out these objectives."
Barron, who officially starts her new role in March, will be the township's fourth CAO since municipal reorganization in 1994. She succeeds Robert Lamb, who held the post for six years before taking a position with the Township of Brock in the fall.
Tay Township Mayor Ted Walker, who was also the first CAO/Clerk of the municipality, said in a media release that “council is excited about the promotion and appointment of Barron to Chief Administrative Officer.
"Her analytical and strategic approach to operations, along with her solid problem solving skills will enable her to enact Council’s vision for a modern service oriented municipality that delivers the right services at the right time for the right reasons," said Barron. "As someone raised in Tay Township, Barron, in addition to her excellent qualifications, is especially motivated to ensure the success of her home town.”
Barron has an Honours Bachelor of Commerce degree from Laurentian University, is a Chartered Professional Accountant and Certified General Accountant, and is trained in many aspects of municipal operations.
She joined the township in 2012 as the financial analyst and has since been instrumental in creating the township’s asset management and energy management plans, as well as in transforming the township’s accounting to meet the Public Sector Accounting Board requirements enacted by the province in 2009.
Barron has also led the annual municipal budget process for a number of years and reports frequently to council on the financial health of the organization.
She said the selection process was intense and rigorous and conceded she wasn't sure if she would be selected.
"I tried to remain positive and took it as an experience," Barron said. "I wanted to put myself out there and I was happy they let me."
She starts in her new role on March 2.
