September brings a packed schedule for council and staff; CAO grapples with managing the busy workload
In the city of Burlington, where large corporations and banks occupy a significant amount of office 365 space, traffic congestion is almost impossible to avoid, and it's not much better in parts of the city. City Hall, with its large, open, and mostly vacant space, is a reflection of this sterile atmosphere. People are often hidden behind glass walls, and a security guard is usually present.
Curt Benson, currently serving as the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), has been leading the city's operations since taking over. However, the search results do not provide information about Benson succeeding Tim Dobbie or the duration of his term. When asked about the City Manager, a Service Burlington clerk was unable to provide the name, referring to the City Manager as the CAO.
Tim Dobbie, who served as the City Manager for more than a decade, was known for his ability to remember every staff member by name. Benson, on the other hand, is a planner by training, known for his straightforwardness, thorough preparation for meetings, and commitment to finding solutions.
The city has a policy that defines some jobs as "in the office every day," unless the job requires the employee to be out of the office 365. Some jobs in the city are split between in and out of City Hall, while others can be done from almost any location, with the city allowing employees to work from home. However, very few people will work completely remotely.
Despite some departments within the city serving well, others need improvement. Service Burlington has been reported to have issues, with the telephone operators not having the necessary training to answer all questions. On a positive note, City Hall staff participated in a United Way fundraising event, as depicted in the provided pictures, with clerks even winning the best costume prize during the 2011 event.
After the 2026 municipal election, the new Council will decide if Benson should continue as the CAO. Iain Dobson, co-founder of the Strategic Regional Research Alliance (SRRA), stated that the notion of working from home frequently no longer defines most people's "new normal." It is hoped that Benson can evolve into a City Manager, embodying the culture, tone, values, and commitment to serving the public that set the city's direction.
