Former Port Augusta mayor Sam Johnson appointed Mt Remarkable District Council chief executive
A young former mayor – and running candidate of Nick Xenophon – has been appointed chief executive of a small country council fighting legal action by former senior staff.
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Former Port Augusta mayor Sam Johnson has become the new chief executive of Mount Remarkable District Council.
Councillors met on Tuesday to appoint the 34-year-old former state political candidate and banking executive on a five-year contract.
Mr Johnson, who will be paid an annual salary of $170,000, has been acting in the position since former chief executive Wayne Hart resigned last month.
Mr Hart, 65, and two other senior council managers lodged legal action against the council in the SA Employment Tribunal following an organisational restructure.
Mr Hart is seeking damages for alleged constructive dismissal while his former deputy, Jessie White, and works manager, John Hadley, are claiming their contracts were prematurely terminated.
Mr Johnson was chosen from a field of 11 shortlisted candidates from 19 applicants for the position.
The recruitment process was managed by a human resources consultant, Robert Wallace, who conducted an investigation which led to the suspension earlier this year of Mr Hart.
Mr Wallace organised three interviews with elected members before recommending Mr Johnson be appointed.
In a letter to Mayor Phillip Heaslip, he said Mr Johnson’s contract provided for an early exit payment of 12 months’ salary “should council wish to terminate the contract (without reason) prior to the nominated expiry date”.
Mr Johnson, who unsuccessfully ran with former independent senator Nick Xenophon at the last state election, said he was looking forward with working with the southern Flinders Ranges community of Melrose and surrounding districts.
“I am very excited to be back in local government serving communities again,” he said.
“Mt Remarkable has enormous potential and the staff and elected members at the council all have the community at heart, which I believe will make sure we can all achieve great things.”
Mr Johnson’s appointment is effectively immediately