Tyler on top

By Bridget Cook
FOLLOWING a controversial debate, the City of Casey reappointed the council’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Mike Tyler on Tuesday night.
The appointment will see Mr Tyler remain in Casey’s top job for a further four-year term to 2016.
Mr Tyler has been at the helm of the council since it was formed in 1995.
His reappointment was voted on six to three, with councillors Bev Hastie and Simon Curtis absent, at Tuesday night’s council meeting.
The council resolved to make public the details of Mr Tyler’s proposed pay packet under the new contract of employment within 14 days.
While he received a majority of support, some councillors believed the CEO position should have been advertised.
City of Casey Mayor Shar Balmes, along with councillor Sam Aziz, praised Mr Tyler’s performance over the past 16 years. A slide show outlining his achievements was shown.
Cr Balmes said under the leadership of Mr Tyler, a number of positive outcomes have been achieved for the community including strong financial management, with Casey’s rates continuing to be some of the lowest per capita in metropolitan Melbourne.
She also highlighted Mr Tyler’s long-term planning through the Casey C21 Strategy and record investment into infrastructure with the opening of the Casey ARC and Casey RACE leisure facilities and the Casey Fields outdoor sports facility.
“As Victoria’s largest municipality, the City of Casey faces a number of pressures,” Cr Balmes said.
“We appreciate Mr Tyler’s strong leadership and experience in assisting the councillors to manage these pressures and deliver its vision and plan for the city.”
Cr Bradford was not so complimentary of Mr Tyler and expressed his concerns of him being reappointed as the CEO.
Cr Bradford said Mr Tyler oversaw this council’s greatest disaster – the Stevenson’s Road landfill mess.
“It’s very easy to self promotion” Cr Bradford said.
“Yes, we have done some marvellous things under Mike Tyler, but also the negatives are of great concern.
“The decision of this council under the CEO Mike Tyler on the Stevenson’s Road landfill site, cost this council more than $30 million dollars.
“He was also recently involved in a civil litigation case at VCAT, that the council knows nothing about.
“I would love to know what deals have been done behind closed doors.”
Cr Keleher, along with Cr Owen, were also against Mr Tyler’s reappointment.
“I’m concerned about good governance – it’s nothing personal on Mike Tyler,” Cr Keleher said.
“From everything I’ve ever learnt, it says the CEOs need to change.
“If we did advertise the position, I don’t know why Mike Tyler wouldn’t reapply and if he was the best for the job he would get the job.
“I’ve had people ringing me, voicing there opinions and concerns about the process followed.
“I want to make sure we have the best person for the job.”
Cr Aziz said advertising the position would be a waste of ratepayer’s money.
Cr Aziz said he believed the councillors who voted against the reappointment were driven by a personal or political agenda rather than the interest of the city.
Cr Aziz revealed that while Mr Tyler’s contract was confidential, it featured far more extensive performance-based measures than in the past.
He said My Tyler would be assessed annually and have a number of requirements to deliver to Casey’s ratepayers, which, if not met, would affect his pay packet.