Public Consultation - Council Composition

Please join us for a Public Consultation regarding the Compostion of Council on Wednesday May 29, 2019 at 6:00 pm in Council Chambers. Currently the Town of Penetanguishene has 9 members of Council total including 7 Council members, a Mayor and Deputy Mayor.

Through the Service Delivery Review report that was presented to Committee of the Whole (COW) on November 22, 2017 there were 18 core opportunities over the short, medium and long term that were presented. Included in the opportunities was a reduction in the size of Council.  The review of County of Simcoe municipalities as well as the comparator group provided shows a majority of Council size being at 7 members.

Changes to Council size and structure must be approved by Municipal By-law in keeping with the requirements of Section 217 of the Ontario Municipal Act. It is important to note that under Section 217, there shall be a minimum of 5 Members of a Municipal Council.

Due to the Regional Government Review requesting municipalities work toward a more efficient and financially responsible way of providing our services, staff recommended that the proposed consideration from the Service Delivery Review be addressed at this time.

For a By-law altering the composition of Council to be effective in the next Regular Election (2022), the By-law would have to be approved by Council in 2021. If the By-law is approved prior to the end of 2021, a revised Council Structure could be in effect in time for the 2022 Municipal Election.

For more information view the Committee of the Whole Report or contact the Town Clerk, Stacey Cooper.