It's back to "business as usual” for Brian Crist, but not before being honoured for his work over the past year in the city manager's chair.

Crist has returned to his regular position as director of infrastructure and operations.

Crist received this year's Municipal Employee's Award of Excellence awarded by the Association of Yukon Communities (AYC).

Crist couldn't be at last weekend's annual general meeting of the AYC in Dawson City, but Mayor Dan Curtis presented the award to Crist at Monday's council meeting in Whitehorse.

As Curtis stated, "you almost have to walk on water” to receive the award. It's presented annually to a municipal employee in the territory who has gone above and beyond his or her regular duties.

The nomination form states the award "recognizes the contribution of an employee of a member community who has demonstrated an exceptional level of professionalism, leadership and innovation in his/her job.”

Crist stepped into the city manager's chair at a moment's notice in April 2013 when former city manager Stan Westby was first suspended from his position.

He stayed on as acting and then interim city manager after Westby took medical leave and was subsequently fired last September. Current city manager Christine Smith started on the job last month.

"Not only did Brian survive, he thrived,” Curtis said, stating Crist brought the city organization together at a time when that was needed.

It was during Crist's time as city manager that the city enjoyed the lowest tax property tax increase seen in a decade, and memberships at the Canada Games Centre rose substantially among a long list of other achievements, Curtis cited.

Over the 17 years of his career with the city, Crist has shown "tremendous leadership” in a variety of roles.

The city is a better place for having Crist in the role of interim city manager, Curtis said.

Following last night's meeting, Crist said he was honoured to receive the award.

While he had been informed he had won it, he added, he wasn't expecting the presentation at a city council meeting.

While the city manager has a big job overseeing the entire municipality, Crist said the recent reorganization which brought the number of directors up to four from two meant he had the support he needed to take on the role.

"We always work as a team,” he said.

Back in the chair as director of infrastructure and operations, Crist said he's happy to have gotten another perspective of the city as its manager, but he's also glad to be back in his regular position, noting there are a number of projects underway for his attention.