Written By Jan Sims
MIDDLESEX CENTRE - Middlesex Centre has a new Chief Administrative Officer. Tiffany Farrell, who has been serving as interim CAO, has been officially named to the top job in the municipality.
Farrell is a long-time member of the Middlesex Centre leadership team, having served as the Director of Corporate Services for more than a decade. That included overseeing finance, IT, communications and human resources. “As a member of the current management team, I’m ready to hit-the-ground running as CAO. I’ve built strong relationships with management and staff, and we have a great collaborative spirit. That teamwork means I’ll be getting started quickly so we can keep things running smoothly and move forward with our workplan for 2026,” says Farrell.
Farrell takes over from previous CAO Michael Di Lullo who left the job to become the CAO for Haldimand County.
As for the priorities heading into the job, Farrell cites documents that are charting the course for Middlesex Centre in the years to come. “Over the last few years, Middlesex Centre has completed master plans for our service areas, as well as an asset management plan and long-range financial plans, all of which will guide our priorities for next year and going forward.
In 2026, our current strategic plan wraps up, so we’ll be reviewing how we’ve responded to Council’s priorities and what we’ve accomplished for the community,” says Farrell. “Plus, with a municipal election coming up next year, our team will be working to make sure we have a successful election process,” adds Farrell.
Farrell takes over the job in a challenging time for Ontario municipalities which are trying to hold the line on tax increases, while ensuring services and adhering to provincial initiatives to promote more housing. “Balancing the budget is a challenge for every municipality, especially since we cannot go into debt for operating expenses like other levels of government. Our staff are always looking for ways to offer services and reliable infrastructure for residents cost-effectively, including seeking grants and looking for other non-tax levy funding sources. However, this is balanced by the financial pressures we face, such as rising utility and material costs,” says Farrell.
“With my background in finance, I am focused on making sure we use tax dollars wisely. We also need to keep advocating with the province for new ways to fund our infrastructure needs,” adds Farrell.
In a statement, Mayor Aina DeViet said: “Having worked closely with Tiffany for the past ten years, I can speak to her dedication, integrity, and professionalism.”
