County councillors approve next step reducing council size
On Tuesday, Simcoe County council members revisited a previous decision regarding the size and composition of council. A motion was approved to support adjusting the size of council from 32 members to 17, inclusive of a full-time appointed warden.
If approved, the elected mayors of the county’s 16 member municipalities will serve as the default representatives starting the next term of council. Currently, deputy mayors also sit on council. As proposed previously, the full-time appointed warden will be chosen by the incoming council among eligible electors who choose to put their name forward for warden.
“Our long-standing structure, with our mayors and deputy mayors both serving on county council, has served our communities well,” said Warden Basil Clarke. “However, we recognize that our council is large in size, and that it’s prudent to make this change going forward. With advancements in technology, we have more ways to connect as a council, with staff and residents, making this potential change more possible than it was years ago. If approved, I’m confident that we will continue to see efficient, effective and fair representation and decision making at county council. I’m also pleased council maintained our decision to pursue a full-time, appointed warden starting next term. The position of warden requires full-time attention to Simcoe County residents and business.”
To take effect, these decisions must be approved through a triple majority process. If approved, these decisions would take effect for the 2026-2030 term.
Approval by county council to proceed with these changes is the first step in the legislative process. The next step is a requirement to hold a public meeting to consider a draft bylaw that would change the composition of county council. If the bylaw is ultimately passed, it would then be sent to the 16 lower- tier member municipalities where a majority of their councils must consent to the bylaw (the majority of municipalities consenting must also represent a majority of electors in the county).
It is important to note that county council may address further guidelines for the role of deputy warden at future meetings and review more information regarding committee structure and the process for council alternates. Representatives from the county’s two separated cities, Barrie and Orillia, will continue to sit on the human services business section of committee of the whole.