Photo by B. Shakyaver
At Bluewater Council’s Budget Meeting on Wednesday, (January 10th) a contentious proposal stirred up debate among council members.
The recommendation suggested allocating $60,000 in the Council’s operating budget for a comprehensive Council Composition and Ward Boundary Review – aimed at potentially reducing the size of the council and restructuring ward compositions to achieve a more balanced mix of taxable assessment. Reduced council size could translate to savings in municipal budget i nthe long term.
Despite the strategic intent, skepticism arose, particularly concerning the projected $60,000 expense.
Councilor Scott Harris said that he couldn’t justify the expense of the consultation, and looked to surrounding municipalities to make his point.
The proposal sparked disagreement among councilors, with a vocal faction defending the existing structure, highlighting its effectiveness. Mayor Paul Klopp, opted to pass the chair to the Deputy Mayor to voice his passion for the existing council structure.
A proposal for an internal report on council composition in surrounding municipalities (at a smaller cost of $15,000) was also rejected through a recorded vote.
Similarly, a motion by Councilor Winona Bailey to poll constituents for their views on council restructuring met resistance, with Councilor Joey Groot asserting that seeking public input suggested a lack of competency in governance.
As a result, the existing council structure will be maintained for the foreseeable future, with many councilors expressing that a future council was welcome to make changes.
Written by: B. Shakyaver