Oct. 6, 2023 — From the City of Burlington
Burlington City Manager Tim Commisso announced his intention to not seek a renewal of his 5-year contract as City Manager. Tim was appointed City Manager effective July 1, 2019 and was Interim City Manager since January 2019.
During Tim’s time serving as City Manager, he led the city’s emergency control group and supported delivery of essential City services while protecting Burlington residents during the global COVID-19 pandemic. He also implemented a new organizational structure in 2019 focused on corporate strategic management in support of the delivery of high-value city services and quality customer experience for residents. As City Manager, Tim has been actively engaged in the acquisition of the Robert Bateman High School site and plans for redevelopment as a major community hub owned and operated by the City. He has also been instrumental in the creation and implementation of the Burlington Lands Partnership and the Halton Digital Access Strategy working closely with his Halton Region CAO colleagues.
I wanted to express my gratitude to Tim for his unwavering commitment and steady leadership at the City of Burlington. When I was a newly elected Mayor in 2018, Tim was always generous with his time, knowledge, and expertise. He brought stability during a time of considerable change at City Hall and the City of Burlington as a whole, and is the longest serving City Manager in my 13 years on Council. He also led our organization through a global pandemic. The search for our next City Manager will begin immediately, with the help and involvement of City staff and Council. We are grateful to Tim for helping us during this period of transition. I wish him all the best and continued success in all future endeavors!
Mayor Marianne Meed Ward
Tim has worked closely with senior staff and stakeholders to ensure that strong relations exist with the agencies, boards and committees that are affiliated with the City and that play a key role in making Burlington a very special community. As City Manager, Tim currently serves as a director of Burlington Enterprises Corporation which includes Burlington Hydro and Burlington Economic Development.
Tim Commisso has proudly served the people of Burlington for over 25 years. He has held various senior City leadership roles including General Manager positions in Community Services and Development and Infrastructure, Director of Parks and Recreation and Deputy City Treasurer. His achievements range from completing major community projects with resident involvement such as the Downtown Waterfront project for Burlington in 2006, the Appleby Ice Centre and Paletta Park and Mansion. Tim was also the project lead on Financial Management System and the facilitation of the City’s Strategic Plan.
Tim is committed to ensuring a seamless City Manager transition. The Province’s Strong Mayors legislation gives the mayor authority to hire the City Manager. Mayor Meed Ward will be working in collaboration with City staff and with the involvement of Council in the recruitment process that will start immediately.
As City Manager, I want to thank Mayor Meed Ward and all members of Council as well as all my colleagues on the Burlington leadership team and all City staff for their dedication and exemplary service to the people of Burlington. Having worked with 13 elected City Councils, it is my view that this City Council ranks among the top in terms of strategic decision-making which is focused on a building a better future for Burlington and its residents. That does not happen by chance and is the direct result of the passion, hard work and leadership of the Mayor and Council, working closely with City staff.
Serving as City Manager of Burlington has been the highlight of my 42-year municipal career. My decision did not come lightly, and I have a need to spend more time with my family at this time in both of my cherished “hometowns” — Burlington and Thunder Bay. In providing this notice now, I want to ensure sufficient time exists to advance and complete several priority Council initiatives including the updated Vision to Focus workplan, and other key City Manager led initiatives to support our amazing Burlington community. I will continue to work hard to support a seamless transition and I wish Mayor Meed Ward, and each member of Council, the very best in the future. Burlington is in very good hands. I now look forward to the day that I become yet another proud resident of Burlington.
Tim Commisso, City Manager
