Yellowknife city council has announced it is replacing its senior administrative officer.

Council voted unanimously at its first meeting Monday night to appoint Dennis Kefalas, the city's director of Public Works and Engineering, as acting senior administrative officer while the city searches for a permanent replacement for the previous SAO, Bob Long.

Mayor Mark Heyck says the relationship between administration and the old council was positive but this new council was looking for change. (CBC)

Long was hired as SAO in July 2010.

During the October municipal election, city administration was as much an issue as city council.

Voters objected to a clampdown on communication that allowed only the mayor to speak publicly on all city issues, and said city staff members were frustrating to deal with.

Mayor Mark Heyck said the relationship between administration and the old council was positive but this new council was looking for change.

“There are disagreements sometimes, but ultimately it's mayor and council who are responsible for governing the community, so it's important that council exerts its independence,” he said.

Council also appointed a new deputy mayor at its first meeting.

Second-term councillor Cory Vanthuyne will assume the position that Heyck occupied on the last council.