Centre Wellington has adopted a council vacancy policy as submitted by clerk Kerri O’Kane.
She told councillors on March 26 that in the event of a council vacancy, it seemed prudent to have a policy in place.
“The process we are proposing provides an accountable and transparent process for the filling of council vacancies when they occur during a term of council,” she said.
The draft policy is tailored for Centre Wellington but based on policies adopted by other municipalities including Wellington County, Woolwich Township and Puslinch Township.
Policies cover public notification, eligibility criteria, information, requirements for application and the voting process.
Should a seat become vacant during the term of office, council could fill a vacancy by appointment of a previously elected candidate, a call for nominees or through a by-election, she said.
The policy sets out the appointment process and permits any interested and qualified persons to submit a council vacancy application form and a declaration of qualification form.
An open call for qualified applicants is placed in the local paper, posted on the township’s website and shared on social media for a limited period of time during which interested and qualified candidates would be required to file their application and declaration with the municipal clerk.
The new councillor, whether appointed or elected, serves from the time their oath of office is taken to the end of the term of council.
Councillor Stephen Kitras asked how long the process would take.
O’Kane said that once council officially receives a resignation, the vacancy must be filled within 60 days.
The policy is coming into play because of the resignation of Ward 3 councillor Mary Lloyd, who was recently appointed as Ward 5 councillor for Wellington County council.
O’Kane anticipated Centre Wellington being able to use the appointment process to fill the vacancy by the end of April.
Hopefully council will appoint and swear in a council member at that time, she said.
Applications will be received until April 20 and the following committee of the whole session will be used to interview candidates where councillors will ask questions.
Kitras said the process proposed seemed very balanced and fair.
O’Kane explained the reason for the proposed quick turnaround on the appointment is that staff did not want this interfering with the upcoming fall municipal elections where nominations start May 1.
“We thought we’d try and wrap one process up before the other technically starts,” she said.
Council adopted the council vacancy policy.
At a special meeting of council on April 3, council officially declared the office of councillor ward 3 to be vacant.
To be considered for appointment, a nominee for municipal office must be a qualified elector as set out in the Municipal Elections Act, 1996, as amended. Qualified electors must be:
– 18 years of age or older;
– a Canadian citizen;
– a resident of the Centre Wellington, or an owner or tenant of land in the township or the spouse of such owner or tenant; and
– not prohibited from voting under any other act or disqualified from holding municipal office.
Interested nominees are requested to complete and submit a council vacancy application form, including a declaration of qualifications, and a Freedom of Information (FOI) release form.
Candidates may also submit a personal statement of qualification with their application.
Documentation must be filed in person with the municipal clerk, legislative services at the township office, 1 MacDonald Square, Elora. Applications will be accepted until April 20.
For more information or to obtain a candidate package visit centrewellington.ca or contact the municipal clerk.
