Tarolyn Aaserud is leaving behind Cypress County for the City of Medicine Hat. Bob Schneider/CHAT News

By Eli J. Ridder, Jesse Gill

Cypress County CAO wraps up final meeting before new Medicine Hat gig

Aug 20, 2024 | 4:34 PM

Tarolyn Aaserud attended her final meeting as chief administrative officer of Cypress County on Tuesday ahead of her Thursday departure and a new position as Medicine Hat’s city clerk.

After serving in various executive roles for nearly three decades and as a CAO at multiple municipalities for over 20 years, Aaserud was looking for a change.

“Sometimes we reflect and we want to look at our journey in life and it really appealed to me,” Aaserud told CHAT News about her transition to a role with the city.

“I love legislation, I love the Municipal Government Act, I love municipal government generally, I love working with people and I believe I’ll be a good fit for their organization,” she added.

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“I really look forward to working with council and the citizens and with the team at the city.”

Sept. 3 will be Aaserud’s first day with the city, the same day that council comes back from its summer break from public meetings, a break extended after Monday’s meeting was cancelled.

Medicine Hat’s last permanent city clerk was Larry Randle. He left the role earlier this year due to harassment he experienced from certain members of the public, according to CHAT News reporting.

Aaserud is not concerned by the turnover.

“I’ll reiterate: I can’t wait to work with council, with city residents and the team there,” she said.

“Life’s an adventure and a journey.”

Interim Cypress CAO starts

Aaserud said she was happy to see several capital projects completed during her time there and has confidence Cypress County will have an amazing future with the staff and council they have in place.

Mike Koziol was named the interm CAO for Cypress County and has been on the job since Monday.

He said he’s retired but has continued to work in interim positions.

“I’ve got a long history with the provincial government and the private sector contracting and consulting,” Kozoil said.

“I retired in 2017, never having done this type of work before, and then got the call to come to Hinton and do my first one as interim town manager. And I’ve been doing it every couple of years since then around the province.”