SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
Some Yellowknife city councillors are expressing surprise at the sudden departure of the man responsible at city hall for putting together its budgets and calculating tax rates and levies.

The City of Yellowknife has lost its director of corporate services and chief financial officer after Carl Bird (above) resigned Friday, effective immediately. - NNSL file photo

Council was notified Friday that Carl Bird, director of corporate services and chief financial officer for the city, had resigned effective immediately, citing "personal reasons."

Coun. Bob Brooks said he found the hastiness of Bird's departure surprising.

"Oftentimes personal reasons cause you some unforeseen timelines. We don't know what those personal reasons are," Brooks said. "That's the nature of the beast when it comes to those personal reasons."

Coun. Niels Konge said no particular reason was given for the resignation but did note last year was a particularly trying one for Bird's department, referring to the anger among Kam Lake residents over property tax increases that were around 30 per cent higher than the previous year.

The tax hike was attributed to an increase in general property assessment values, which were much higher in the Kam Lake Industrial Park. Bird had earlier suggested the assessment increase wouldn't affect property taxes but that wasn't the case in Kam Lake.

"There is no secret that he's probably been under a lot of pressure with the Kam Lake tax issues," said Konge.

"(His resignation) could have something to do with that, it could have nothing to do with that. Who knows."

When asked Monday whether his resignation had anything to do with controversies at city hall, Bird gave a definitive "no." He said he is moving to Montreal to be with family.

"I'm pursuing new opportunities and want to be closer to family," said Bird. "That's it. That's the absolute and only reason I resigned."

Bird took on the role with the city in 2008, after holding several positions with the territorial government.

Whether he will take on a similar senior administrative role in the future, Bird said he didn't know.

Friday was Bird's official last day with the city, although he couldn't recall when he submitted his resignation.

Unlike Konge and Brooks, Coun. Cory Vanthuyne said he did have some inkling Bird was stepping down. Vanthuyne said he has known Bird for several years, having served with him on the Yellowknife Golf Club's board of directors.

"In my discussions with Carl I knew he had some intentions to move back out east where he's from, so it wasn't any surprise really to me when he made his final decision," said Vanthuyne.

"It was a little bit sudden, maybe in terms of his notice but I'm not making too much of that because I personally had some understanding of his reasoning."

Despite challenges at city hall, Brooks said he highly respected Bird's work and would miss his contributions to the city.

"I know that it has been difficult for him for a number of reasons over the last few years, so I was hoping we would be able to work through those difficult issues and use the talents that he has to keep working with the city," said Brooks.

"He had other personal reasons for leaving, so I wish him very well and hope that he has a great future in front of him."

During his tenure, Vanthuyne said Bird had done well for the city and he respected his efforts, noting those in senior management positions will always be in the public eye and criticized.

Officials at city hall would not comment on Bird's resignation, as it is a personnel matter.

Clem Hand is now acting corporate services director.

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