Trouble at Ann Mitchell's new job?

Ann Mitchell Apr 2025 - Photo by Kelly Allard

Lac Ste. Anne County calls special closed-door meeting.

Notice went out Sunday afternoon for a meeting Monday afternoon. Less than six months after being hired on a five year contract as Lac Ste. Anne County's top administrator, Ann Mitchell is presumably the subject of a special closed-door council meeting scheduled for Monday.

Notice of the meeting was posted on the county's website just after noon on Sunday. The meeting is set for Monday afternoon and, according to the agenda, will be held in closed session to discuss a "personnel matter."

Mitchell was appointed Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) in late December 2025 and officially started the job on Jan. 12, 2026. She is the council's sole employee, meaning any personnel discussion behind closed doors would necessarily involve her.

The county fired its previous CAO, Mike Primeau, in April 2025 and paid him $622,860 in severance.

Mitchell arrived in Lac Ste. Anne County after a turbulent exit from her previous job in Medicine Hat, where she was fired with cause as city manager in 2025. She has since filed a lawsuit against the city and the mayor personally, claiming defamation and damage to her reputation.

At the time of her hiring in Lac Ste. Anne County, Reeve Jurgen Preugschas told reporters the county had done its due diligence on Mitchell and had "no concerns" about her background.

Under Alberta's Municipal Government Act, councils may close meetings to the public only for specific reasons, including matters covered by privacy legislation - which typically includes personnel issues. However, no binding decisions, such as a termination or contract amendment, can be made in a closed session. Any formal resolution would have to be passed in public.

The county has not commented on the nature of the personnel matter.

We will update this story as information becomes available.