Electoral review to start with the public
The 2014 municipal election dominated conversation at Clearview Council’s Monday night meeting, with two important decisions being made: first, to proceed with a public review of the Township’s ward system this fall in advance of the election, and second, to utilize Internet and telephone voting when the time comes for residents to make their decision in October 2014.
Discussion about the electoral review started with a report from clerk Pamela Fettes, requested in a unanimous resolution moved by Councillor Brent Preston two weeks ago.
In the report, Fettes reiterated her support for conducting a review of Clearview Township’s governance structure, but listed several concerns with timing and funding. With nominations opening for the 2014 election on January 2, Fettes said any bylaw to adjust ward boundaries or abolish the ward system would need to be passed by October 21. That way, the 45-day Ontario Municipal Board appeal period that would follow would be done by December 5, giving staff just under a month to make appropriate changes and be ready for the nomination period. If an appeal were to be filed, she said, the current electoral system would have to be utilized for the 2014 election.
Given the complexity of the work and the fact that the clerk’s department is already busy preparing for the election, Fettes recommended that Council hire a consultant to guide the process. She estimated that would cost $35,000, and pointed to the Township’s Election Reserve, with a current balance of $37,500, as a source of funding for the initiative. That would mean, however, that the 2014 election, estimated to cost around $50,000, would have to be fully paid for out of the Township’s 2014 budget.
Despite these hesitations, the consensus of Council remained that the time is right for such an exercise, given its been 20 years since amalgamation and given the growing population disparity between the Township’s seven wards. However, the extent to which a consultant is needed was the subject of some debate.
Councillor Preston, for one, offered that much of the work could be done by Council, and that a consultant could be hired merely to help with the technical aspect of redrawing ward boundaries.
Councillor Shawn Davidson, on the other hand, argued that a consultant would be impartial, and would have the skills and expertise to get the job done on a tight time line. “If we don’t hire a consultant, it’s not going to get done,” he said.
That said, Councillor Thom Paterson pointed out that the public had not yet been approached on such a big question, and that their perspective should be sought before deciding to hire a consultant.
“What is our objective?” asked Paterson. “What is our problem statement? These are questions that need to be formulated before we go and hire somebody.”
Eventually, Council decided to have staff issue a request for proposals from consultants, but to hold a public meeting before making the final decision to hire one.
At that meeting, it’s hoped that members of the public will present their views to Council on what does and doesn’t need to be changed with the current ward system.
“What this comes down to is wards or no wards,” said Deputy Mayor Alicia Savage. “That’s the bottom line. And if we do stick with wards, we clearly have to make some changes.”
The public meeting – likely the first of several on the subject throughout the fall – will be held at 7 pm on Monday, July 22.
It’s anticipated that other aspects of the governance review, including Councillors’ job descriptions and remuneration, will be done in-house by Council and staff.
For a map of the Township’s current ward system, click here.
