Photo: Wayne Moore - File Photo

CAO Jim Zaffino

The search is underway in West Kelowna for a new top bureaucrat.

The city is looking for a new Chief Administrative Officer after it was announced Tuesday that Jim Zaffino would not be continuing after his contract expires June 28.

Zaffino has been with the city almost since day one. He was hired as the city's first Chief Financial Officer in January 2008, weeks after Westside officially became a municipality.

Zaffino spent six years as CFO before replacing Jason Johnson in the city's top job in March 2014. He was expected to stay on the job for one year before retiring in 2015, but signed another four-year contract to remain on the job through June of this year.

“Jim Zaffino was instrumental in establishing the City of West Kelowna’s organizational structure and systems, literally from nothing,” says Mayor Gord Milsom.

“West Kelowna council is extremely grateful for his exemplary years of service and for employing, for our community’s benefit, the tremendous wealth of knowledge he has gained during his 40 years in local government. West Kelowna council wishes him all the best in the future.”

Zaffino will help the city transition to its new leadership through the end of June.

“I am very proud of the accomplishments this organization has achieved during my eleven years at the City of West Kelowna, including establishing the city’s first financial systems,” says Zaffino.

“I am thankful to have worked for West Kelowna council and alongside some of the best municipal employees I have ever met. The dedication and commitment West Kelowna staff bring every day continues to be tremendously gratifying.”