County governance changes on the docket in time for 2014 elections

New Tecumseth Free Press February 25, 2013

Last October, Simcoe County councillors rejected the idea of direct elections to the upper tier, couldn’t agree to reduce the size and composition of council, frowned on the notion of a full-time Warden, but did find common ground to make the Warden’s position a four-year term, elected from within the 32 mayors and deputy mayors in a secret ballot.

Currently the Warden’s position is served in two-year increments, and the current holder, Wasaga Beach mayor Cal Patterson, will have served both when this term of office expires in December 2014.

The outline of procedural changes required to effect the change will be on County council’s monthly meeting agenda tomorrow morning. The recommendation, which follows up on proposed changes agreed to last fall, includes a provision for a public meeting to be held on March 26 to deal with the proposed by-law amendment.

“It would then be in order to proceed with consideration of the by-law at a regular meeting following that date,” according to the report to council prepared by Simcoe County Clerk Brenda Clark. “It should be noted that in order to effect the change in time for the 2014 – 2018 term of Council, and given that there is no regular meeting of Council scheduled for December 2013, the by-law would need to be enacted no later than the November 26, 2013 regular meeting of Council. If Council was to reconsider its previous position to enact a full-time/sole representation Warden position, a different process (triple majority) would be required.”

The other significant change proposed to County governance involves replacing the current three standing committees with a general government system which “would allow all members of Council to participate in all meetings and become familiar with the full range of issues facing the County across all departments.”

County councillors are split on the change and the recommendation sends the prospect back for further review, with a final report expected back in June.