Golden, BC – I recently had the opportunity to sit down with Jeremy Denegar, the newly appointed Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) for the Town of Golden.
For those unfamiliar with the role of a CAO in the context of Golden, it is a critical position that reports directly to Town Council and oversees the entire municipal organization, including Public Works and Planning & Development.
With over 16 years of experience in municipal governance, Jeremy most recently served as the CAO for the District of Lillooet, where he achieved notable successes in strategic planning, policy development, organizational leadership, and community engagement.
Prior to that, he held positions as the Director of Corporate Services for the District of Summerland and the Manager of Information Technology for the Township of Esquimalt.
His arrival in Golden is timely, as the town faces challenges related to sustainable development—balancing growth opportunities while preserving its charming small-town vibes.
• A Personal Connection to Golden
Raised in Victoria, with family ties to Calgary, Jeremy has fond memories of traveling through Golden. “Having spent almost every summer as a child exploring Golden and the area with my family, I am thrilled to be coming full circle to join the team in Golden,” he shared.
After his successes in Lillooet, Jeremy sought new challenges and initially accepted a position in Sooke on Vancouver Island. However, following a family tragedy in August 2023, he took a year off.
When he was ready to return to his CAO career, he explored several communities in BC and Alberta. Golden immediately stood out to him. “One thing I noticed right away was Golden’s community spirit and pride, its desire to keep improving.”
Since stepping into the role, he has also recognized some challenges. “There’s a unique opportunity in Golden, where stable blue-collar industries like CPKC and the Pacific Woodtech mill coexist with tourism.
We need to be smart about managing growth, ensuring housing remains attainable while also supporting the tourism industry,” he explained.
• Leadership Approach
A self-proclaimed member of the Star Trek generation who was “raised by Captain Jean-Luc Picard,” Jeremy has valued strong governance and democratic institutions from an early age.
One of his goals is to strengthen the governance structure in Golden, bringing in fresh ideas and perspectives from other communities facing similar challenges. He recently attended a conference in Victoria to gather insights and network with other CAOs. “We have to compete with other communities,” he emphasized.
When asked about his key objectives in his new role, Jeremy highlighted a certain lack of clarity in the current strategic plan provided by Town Council.
He aims to work closely with Council to refine their strategic vision, establish measurable goals, and enhance reporting back to the community. “Clarity from Council, measurable goals, and transparent communication with residents are essential,” he noted.
• Development in Golden
One pressing issue the Town of Golden faces is the delay in development applications due to infrastructure shortfalls, particularly in water and sewer system capacity.
Golden must maintain and expand its infrastructure to support continued growth, but funding constraints have stalled projects as the Town and developers negotiate cost-sharing solutions.
Despite his short tenure, Jeremy is already deeply involved. He has attended two meetings with local developers and key stakeholders, emphasizing his commitment to collaboration. During the first meeting, he outlined his approach, and in the second—covered by The Golden Star—the Town presented its wastewater treatment system plan to developers.
Jeremy acknowledges the developers’ frustrations over past transparency issues and aims to change that. He wants the Town to clearly communicate infrastructure cost-sharing expectations and establish standards for project application turnaround times.
“We will proactively follow up with developers. We hate waiting for information just as much as they do. I believe in transparency, collaboration, and accountability,” he affirmed.
The core issue, he explained, is that the Town did not collect sufficient Development Cost Charges (DCCs) in the past to build reserves for necessary infrastructure upgrades, creating the current bottleneck. As a result, an increase in DCCs, taxation, and utility fees is likely. “We are paying for the frugalities of the past,” he remarked.
However, Jeremy remains optimistic. He is exploring creative proposals from developers, encouraging collaboration among them to share financial risks.
He plans to form targeted working groups to address specific infrastructure challenges and seek financing solutions through consulting agencies like Urban Systems.
• A Positive Outlook
“I want developers to fall in love with the Planning Department!” Jeremy exclaimed when discussing opportunities for Golden. His vision is for a community with a smart development plan that serves both the tourism market and provides affordable housing and real estate options across all economic levels.
He also hopes to shift public perception of local government. In his energetic and engaging style, he reminded me that this is our government and our town hall meetings, encouraging residents to be more involved.
He plans to foster a culture of transparency, collaboration, and accountability within his team to strengthen their reputation in the community. With public consultation for Golden’s Official Community Plan happening this year, he sees this as a prime opportunity for municipal government to connect with residents.
Throughout my conversation with Jeremy, I couldn’t help but feel that he is exactly the kind of public servant Golden needs.
His energy, relentless positivity, and candid approach are refreshing, and in my opinion, he will be an asset to the community as it navigates growth and change in the coming years.
