ORILLIA: The city’s top administrator is “convalescing” at home, Mayor Ron Stevens confirmed.
Stevens declined to elaborate on city manager Ian Brown’s condition in order to respect his privacy.
“He is taking a minor active role through the email process on different things,” Stevens said . “Even though he is not here body-wise, he is able to share a lot of his work load through the e-mail process.”
Reached by Orillia Today, Brown confirmed that he had been away from work for about a month, and hoped to return on a full-time basis in January.
“I had some surgery,” he said. “I had some complications that are behind me. I am on the mend.”
Brown, who has been working from home using a combination of e-mail and phone conferencing, said he hoped to begin attending council meetings regularly again in the near future.
Brown attended Monday night’s committee meeting and briefly addressed the matter, thanking council, staff and the community for their support.
“I’m absolutely delighted to be back,” he told council.
Stevens said senior staff is lending a hand during Brown’s time away.
“We all step up – the treasurer does, the city clerk does, I do,” he added. “He is accessible through the email process.”
Eight department heads report to Orillia’s city manager, including treasury, public works, the clerk, planning and development, parks and recreation, the fire department, and culture and heritage.
Council sets the direction for the municipality and establishes policies and staff, under Brown’s leadership, carry out those decisions, according to the city’s website.
“He is responsible for all issues with regards to staff,” Stevens added. “Council sets policy and staff carry out that policy. That is where he picks up his responsibility, to make sure that is done.”
Asked whether he anticipated Brown returning to work, Stevens said, “absolutely. His convalescence will determine when he gets back to work.”
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