Nuala Kenny, the city solicitor spearheading the Sault's claim for $14 million in back taxes owed by Essar Steel Algoma Inc., who filled Joe Fratesi's shoes for five months as acting chief administrative officer in 2015, has tendered her resignation.
"I have accepted a position in the private law sector," Kenny says in her resignation letter to the city. "I will be the lead lawyer in the Wishart Law municipal group."
"It has been an honour to serve under Mayor Provenzano and City Council. The city team is one of the finest, most dedicated and caring groups I have ever encountered."
Kenny has worked more than 23 years in the city's legal department, almost a decade as city solicitor.
"You're an incredibly intelligent person and you're going to give everyone over at Wishart a run for their money," said Mayor Provenzano.
Kenny's last day on the job will be July 26.
Councillors voted Monday night to begin the selection process for a new city solicitor, whose appointment must be authorized by a City Council-approved bylaw.
Councillors also agreed Monday to add another $35,000 to the city's contingency reserve for collecting back taxes owed by Essar Steel Algoma Inc.
"This would bring the total legal costs to $535,000 since the firm of Aird and Berlis was retained in early 2016," says Al Horsman, the city's chief administrative officer.
The steel mill is currently paying $500,000 a month to the city but the $14 million originally owed at the time Algoma entered insolvency protection is still owing, councillors were told.