Municipality of Kincardine Council is seeking input into the election process for the deputy mayor to be effective starting in the 2022 election.

Municipality of Kincardine CAO Sharon Chambers says the matter was brought forward as a notice of motion by then councillor Glover (prior to his appointment as mayor) on Dec. 7, 2020 and was passed by council on Dec. 14.  The motion directed staff to “bring back a report on the process for reviewing options as it relates to the election of deputy mayor by the electorate at large versus being elected from the candidate with the most votes in the councilor-at-large race commencing with the 2022 municipal election.”

On Jan. 18, 2021, staff brought a report to council providing background and the legislative requirements and options related to the election of the deputy mayor.  Council approved the report’s recommendation to review the role of the deputy mayor to create a more fulsome description of their role within the Municipality of Kincardine, and further to provide public notice, receive public input by way of a survey and hold a public meeting prior to making a decision on the matter.

On July 12, 2021 staff presented a report which provided information on the role and responsibilities of the deputy mayor and set out the process for receiving public input.

Residents are asked to complete a survey available on www.KincardineTalks.ca. The survey opened on July 21 and will close on Sept. 30. Registration with KincardineTalks is not required in order to complete the survey.

Under the current process, the councillor elected at large with the greatest number of votes becomes deputy mayor. The survey will provide residents with four proposed options for the election process for the position: including vote at large; by council selection from council members; the position will be held on a rotational basis by all council members or continuing with the current process of selection.

More details on all of these options and the role of the deputy mayor can be found on www.KincardineTalks.ca.

After receiving the public input, council will have the opportunity to remain with the status quo or change the process for electing the deputy mayor. According to Section 217 of the Municipal Act, in order to enact this change for the 2022 municipal election, a bylaw would need to be passed for the change in council composition by January 1, 2022 for the 2022 election. If it is not in effect at that point, it will not take effect until the next regular election.

There will be a public meeting, scheduled for Monday, Aug. 9, during the Municipality of Kincardine council meeting. Anyone who wishes to submit comments or address council for this meeting should contact clerk Jennifer Lawrie, clerk at 519-396-3468 ext. 7111 or email jlawrie@kincardine.ca, by noon on Aug. 4, to learn how they can participate.

During the COVID-19 declared emergency, Municipality of Kincardine Council will continue to meet electronically. The majority of council members will be practicing physical distancing by participating in the meeting electronically and the council chambers will remain closed to the public.