The latest resignation is from infrastructure services manager Jon Kingsford, who leaves after three years in the role, to take up the position of infrastructure director at the Napier City Council next month.
The Central Otago council appointed a new chief executive a year ago and replaced its corporate services manager in September.
‘‘All those people, including Jon, have gone on to brighter and bigger jobs - mostly they've been promoted,'' Mayor Tony Lepper said.
‘‘It's typical for here. Central Otago is seen as a stepping stone and it's always refreshing for an organisation to see who else is out there and it's good to get some new people in.''
The council was fortunate to have ‘‘three good years'' with Mr Kingsford, he said. He hoped to be able to announce the successful candidate for the role early in the new year. Mr Kingsford said the Napier job was the next step in his career ‘‘and an opportunity that I couldn't overlook''.
The people were one of the highlights of his time in Central Otago - the people he had worked with, the community and friends, he said. Completing the long-awaited Clyde underpass project was another highlight, as was his part in the Cromwell wastewater treatment plant upgrade project and the Alexandra water source project.
Outside of work, his involvement in the Mountain Bikers of Alexandra, was ‘‘superbly rewarding''. The ‘‘low'' point of his time at the council was having to take recycling services away from Central Otago WasteBusters, Mr Kingsford said.
The group ran the district's only recycling operation and it folded in July after losing its council contract for recycling.
It has since been taken over by Wanaka Wastebusters. He would miss the people and the ‘‘outdoor playground'' - the mountains and mountain bike and trail running opportunities in the district. It would be a wrench for him, his wife Teresa and children Adele (11), Connor (9) and Benjamin (8) to leave the area, he said.
‘‘Living and working in Central Otago has been a great experience for my family and I.
‘‘While this is a very exciting opportunity for all the family, it is not without some sadness that we leave Alexandra. ‘‘Our thanks to all those people who have been a part of our lives during our time here.''
