Cobar mayor Councillor Lilliane Brady confirmed the appointment yesterday but would not confirm whether Mr Vlatko had commenced duties in the new role.

The Witness understands he started work last week.

Mr Vlatko is a former employee of Cobar Shire Council, having worked there as deputy shire clerk from 1987 to 1990.

According to the town’s newspaper The Cobar Weekly, the town’s deputy mayor Peter Abbott welcomed Mr Vlatko back to the fold.

“Peter possesses an associate in local government administration and a certificate of qualification under the NSW Government Act,” Mr Abbott told the paper.

“He will bring 35 years’ experience in local government in NSW and South Australia to Cobar Shire Council,” he added.

Mr Vlatko was general manager of Young Shire Council for seven years.

He resigned from his position in early October year, with details of the resignation confined to a non-disclosure agreement.

The Young Witness later revealed the general manager had incurred a $213,059.09 debt to Young Shire Council for fringe benefits tax obligations, which were a condition of his contract of employment. 

This $213,059.09 amount was required to be paid to the tax office by the council, leaving them with the obligation to ensure full amount was recovered from Mr Vlatko.

Some of the $213,059.09 had already been paid back to the council in October leaving just over $100,000 owing.

Council’s general manager Greg Armstrong said yesterday that under the council’s Privacy Management Plan 1988 he was unable to confirm if the full amount had been paid back.