By Don Urquhart, Times Chronicle
Osoyoos mayor and council have issued a statement via e-news announcing the retirement of Rod Risling from his position as Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) which he has held since August 2022.
“Mayor Sue McKortoff and Council wish to inform the Osoyoos community that, following an extended leave to attend to a family matter, Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Rod Risling has retired from his position,” the statement read.
Since joining the Town in July 2022, Risling’s “dedication and leadership have made a meaningful contribution to the community’s growth and progress,” the statement said. “We are sincerely grateful for his service and the impact he has had during his tenure.
“On behalf of the entire organization, we extend our heartfelt thanks and wish him all the best in his retirement.”
Director of Corporate Services and Planning, Marg Coulson, who was appointed Interim Chief Administrative Officer during Risling’s absence, will continue in this role while Council considers next steps in the leadership transition.
Risling’s retirement comes less than a month after Wayne Anderson, Oliver’s Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) announced he is retiring at the end of June, having joined in May 2022.
Risling took over the Osoyoos position after former CAO Allan Chabot unexpectedly vacated the CAO chair in late Feb. 2022.
Risling inherited a structure riveted with problems, crumbling town infrastructure after years of neglect and an absence of a proper asset management plan, among a legion of other issues. While the solutions to some of these were not always popular they were viewed by council and staff as being necessary.
In a bid to begin addressing the more important of these issues, like town water, a sharp rise in property taxes – which had been kept purposefully low by elected officials over the years – was approved by council in 2025 who then partially walked back some of the increase when faced by residents’ anger.
This anger, some of it unacceptable for its slanderous and threatening nature, was also directed at Risling and his staff, causing a number of resignations. It also resulted in difficulty replacing staff because of the human resources reputation Osoyoos had acquired in the process.
Since that time work by both council and Risling and his staff, have begun turning the corner on some of the issues, including developing a full asset management plan which makes clear the scale and scope of Osoyoos’ infrastructure needs, along with progress on a replacement water supply system tapping Osoyoos Lake.
Risling came to the position after serving as CAO in Alberta’s High Prairie and Athabasca County and had also worked in senior positions for the City of Edmonton.
