Port Lincoln City Council searches for new chief executive following resignation of Stephen Rufus

One of the state’s biggest regional councils is looking for a new chief executive following the resignation of its boss, a former carpet cleaner and medical centre owner.

Port Lincoln City Council has parted ways with its chief executive Stephen Rufus. Picture: Ben Stamatovich/The Drone Way

Port Lincoln City Council has started a recruitment search for a new boss following the resignation of its chief executive

Former carpet cleaner and medical centre owner Stephen Rufus tendered his resignation last Friday following a series of closed meetings held over the past month to discuss his performance.

Elected members held a special council meeting on Monday night to vote to start looking for a replacement.

Port Lincoln Mayor Brad Flaherty said he was unable to discuss the reasons for Mr Rufus’s departure because of confidentiality.

Former Port Lincoln Council chief executive Stephen Rufus. Picture: Port Lincoln City Council

Asked if Mr Rufus had left because of a $650,000 budget blowout for the expansion of the city’s council-owned leisure centre, Mr Flaherty said it was unrelated.

“I think the council has recovered pretty well from that so, no, that is not an issue,” he said.

The $4.449 million project hit serious delays when its contractor, Unique Urban Build, went into liquidation. Its total cost reached $5.099 million.

According to Mr Rufus’s LinkedIn profile, he owned and operated a carpet cleaning business at Victor Harbor and a medical centre at Mt Compass before joining Port Lincoln City Council in 2017.

Mr Rufus moved to Port Lincoln from Orroroo District Council, where he also was chief executive.

Attempts to contact Mr Rufus for comment have been unsuccessful.