Twyla Ludwig
CMMA

Twyla has worked in the municipal field for over 35 years, 27 of those as CAO.  She began her career with the Town of Roblin starting as a Summer Student and progressing to Office Clerk, Project Manager and Assistant Chief Administrative Officer (CAO).  During her time as the Assistant CAO, Twyla obtained her certificate (with distinction) in Manitoba Municipal Administration (CMMA).

 

For 17 ½ years, she was the CAO for the Rural Municipality (RM) of Shell River before moving back to the Town of Roblin as CAO.  With the amalgamation of three municipalities in 2015, Twyla became the CAO for the Municipality of Roblin, serving in that position until the spring of 2020 when she changed to Project Manager as part of her transition to semi-retirement.

 

Twyla’s time as CAO brought many improvements and initiatives.  Administrative responsibilities included preparing agendas; recording minutes of council meetings and public hearings; advising Council of legislative requirements; implementing programs and services; writing by-laws, resolutions and agreements; developing policies and procedures; creating an orientation handbook as a resource for new members of Council; maintaining a strong awareness of community needs as well as current trends; encouraging strong relationships with neighbouring municipalities, community stakeholders, organizations and other levels of government.

 

Financial management responsibilities included preparing annual operating and capital budgets, budget analyses, preparing financial statements as well as reports for accounts payable, accounts receivable, tax collections, utility billings and collections, payroll, bank reconciliations; preparing grant applications; administering the taxation process including the Board of Revision, tax collection and tax sale. 

 

Human resource management responsibilities included overseeing all municipal staff - administrative, public works, utility operators, waste disposal site attendants, summer students, recreation department, etc.; training new staff on municipal procedures; preparing job descriptions and employment agreements.  With human resources being such an important part of operating a municipality, she obtained her Certificate in Performance Management for Municipal Government instructed by Dr. Robert (Bob) Kent.

 

Twyla has extensive experience supervising and directing municipal elections, by-elections and referendums.  She has hosted several training sessions for election officials and pre-election sessions for potential candidates, as well as post-election sessions for members of councils

 

Highlights of Twyla’s career includes being a member of the Manitoba Municipal Administrators’ Association for almost 35 years.  As a member of the MMAA Information Technology (IT) Committee, she assisted with the development of MMAA's first website and was a District 7 Director and alternate director for over 6 years. Twyla was the lead on website development for various corporations.  A major achievement was implementing the computerized accounting system for the RM of Shell River in 1993 and, following the 2015 amalgamation, incorporating the former RM of Hillsburg’s manual records into the municipal computerized system.  She had a key role in developing the Roblin District Emergency Plan.  She oversaw the operation of the Roblin Municipal Airport for over 20 years.  Her municipality was the first to create a financial assistance rebate for farmers directly off their tax statements.  She was very involved with amicable boundary adjustments that included the Town of Roblin annexing a portion of the RM of Shell River in 2000 and the RM of Shell River annexing the RM of Park (North) in 2007.

 

Over the years, Twyla has volunteered for several community clubs and organizations, serving in various capacities as Chair, Secretary, Treasurer and Board Member.  She coached Mites, Squirts and Peewee girls’ softball for 10 years and participated in provincial tournaments.

 

Twyla served as Administrator for a northern municipality, working with the Province of Manitoba, where she was able to expand her skills in governance and administrative issues.  She is enjoying working with two other women with stellar careers in the municipal field.  She is looking forward to meeting new people as well as reconnecting with colleagues in this new role.  Twyla and her husband, Greg, own and operate a cattle farm near Roblin.  They have three daughters, one son-in-law, three granddaughters and one grandson.