South Frontenac CAO Neil Carbone Leaving for a Job With the City of Kingston

Jeff Green | Dec 30, 2021

South Frontenac Township made a year end announcement on December 30.

“South Frontenac’s Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), Neil Carbone, will be leaving the Township to take on the role of Commissioner, Corporate Services for the City of Kingston. His last day with the Township will be Friday, February 25th, 2022,” said a township release.

Carbone had been the senior staff member and sole direct employee of Council for 21/2 years.

Neil Carbone joined the Township of South Frontenac as its CAO in the summer of 2019 following the retirement of former CAO, Wayne Orr. Neil had previously served in senior municipal leadership roles in Prince Edward County and the Municipality of Sioux Lookout.

“The Township is very sorry to see Mr. Carbone go. We have undergone a lot of positive change and accomplished a lot under Neil’s leadership,” said Mayor Ron Vandewal. “On behalf of Council I want to thank him for all he’s done here and congratulate him on his new role.”

“During his tenure with South Frontenac, Mr. Carbone worked with Council to lead significant organizational change, to improve and modernize Township services in key areas, respond to growth and workforce pressures, and to navigate the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic,” the release went on to say.

“It is always challenging when your chief employee leaves,” said Vandewal, “But we have made great strides in fostering leadership within the organization, in breaking down departmental silos, and providing the necessary resources to deliver the services our residents value most. We have a strong and resilient team that can maintain that momentum and continue furthering this Council’s priorities in the last year of its term.”

“I feel the Township is in very good hands with the leadership team that’s in place – they are some of the most capable and collaborative people I’ve worked with and have been a big part of the Township’s evolution these past few years,” Carbone said. “The relationship between staff and Council is also one of the most professional and respectful I’ve experienced. It is an enviable position for the Township to be in when recruiting a new CAO.”

With his last day being in late February of 2022, Mr. Carbone will have an opportunity to wrap up several key initiatives before he departs including the 2022 budget process and completion of the Verona Housing Master Plan – a precursor to future seniors and affordable housing development in the Township.

“Council appreciates having this additional time to work with Neil to ensure a transition plan is in place before his departure,” said Mayor Vandewal. “Continuity and reassurance for our employees is very important when there is change at the top, so Council will want to identify appropriate interim leadership and discuss Council’s approach to the recruitment of a new CAO in the coming weeks.”