It is not certain when Irricana residents will go to the polls to fill a council spot left vacant when Andrew Carr stepped down on Nov. 5.
A by-election has been set for Dec. 3 to find a replacement for Frank Dusome, who stepped down in October.
Council asked municipal affairs if it was possible to combine the by-elections to save taxpayers the burden of paying for two separate voting days.
With the matter still undecided and still open to discussion, Deputy Mayor Larry Martin is optimistic the issue will be resolved in a timely manner.
“It is unfortunate that we have two spaces to fill on council,” Martin said.
“I am hoping we can save the taxpayers the expense of a second by-election, and look forward to any possible suggestions from the minister that may help us avoid this costly process.”
According to the minister of municipal affairs, a vacancy must be filled with a by-election within 90 days of the vacancy.
If this does not happen, the minister can choose to change the date of the by-election, extend the time to fill the vacancy to the date of the next general election, reduce the minimum number of members of council, direct the CAO to conduct a by-election, or take another action that the minister deems necessary in order to fill the position.
CAO Alvin Melton said it would be in the best interest of residents to avoid the cost of a second by-election, but the process is one council, administration and the ministry must consider carefully.
“Ideally, we would always want to have a full complement of councillors when voting, because with an even number, there is always the problem of a split decision,” explained Melton.
“However, there are other factors that come into play including added costs and administrative work to organize the by-election.
“Regardless of what the minister may decide though, administration has no issue with any direction this may take us and look forward to working with council whatever form that may take.”
One possible option is setting the second by-election for Feb. 1 to allow stakeholders enough time after the holidays to plan for the event.
The issue will be brought up again at a future council meeting. by-election has been set for Dec. 3 to find a replacement for Dusome, ouncil to save taxpayers the burden of pay for .According to the inister of unicipal ffairs a vacancy must be filled a by-election within 90 days the vacancy. If this does not happen the inister can choose to change the date of the by-election, extend the time to fill the vacancy to the date of the next general election, reduce the minimum number of members of council, direct the to conduct a by-election, or take another action that the inister deems necessary in order to fill the position.it would be in the best interest of residents to avoid the cost of a second by-election, but the process is one omust consider carefully.
“Ideally we would always want to have a full complement of councillors when voting, because with an even number there is always the problem of a split decision,” explained Melton. “However, there are other factors that come into play including added costs and administrative work to organize the by-election. Regardless of what the inister may decide though, administration has no issue with any direction this may take us and look forward to working with council whatever form that may take.”
is setting the second by-election for Feb. 1 to allow stakeholders time after the holidays to plan for the event.
