COLLINGWOOD — Earlier this week, Collingwood council voted in favour of shrinking County of Simcoe council from 32 to 17 members.
At their regular meeting on June 23, Collingwood council voted 7-2 in favour of approving the change. A decision from each of the County of Simcoe’s 16 municipal councils is being requested by the county by June 30.
Deputy Mayor Tim Fryer – one of Collingwood’s two representatives on county council along with Mayor Yvonne Hamlin – asked Collingwood council for support on the matter during his remarks.
“The thought that having two separate votes somehow provides more control for Collingwood/county taxpayers isn’t the reality,” said Fryer. “Currently, in cases where the two representatives vote differently, it cancels Collingwood’s input, which is effectively no vote.
“One voting representative will ensure this cannot occur,” he added.
After months of heated debate, in April, county council voted to change the composition of council starting next term.
Under that system, such a vote requires a “triple-majority” approval, which means following the county approving the change, they also need at least half of their 16-member municipalities’ councils to pass similar motions at their local council tables, and the councils consenting must represent the majority of electors.
Currently, county council is made up of the deputy mayor and mayor of each of its 16 member municipalities (Barrie and Orillia are separated cities), including Collingwood, with the warden appointed from among those members, for a total of 32 members. Current Warden Basil Clarke is also the mayor of Ramara Township.
Under the new system approved in April, county council would instead be made up of just the mayors from each municipality, and those members would appoint a head of council among eligible electors, for a total of 17 members.
The proposed bylaw also includes required updates to the existing weighted vote system — a system based on the electoral size of each member municipality when a recorded vote is taken.
But Coun. Deb Doherty and Coun. Kathy Jeffery wouldn’t give their approval for the change, both referencing a separate decision by county councillors earlier this year to give themselves a 346 per cent pay raise over three years.
Councillors get a base salary of $12,054 with an additional $6,025 in per diems for a total annual salary of $18,079.
In 2027, the total base salary for councillors will be $41,717, not including meeting per diems.
That decision did not require triple majority approval, and therefore municipal councils across Simcoe County were not asked for their input on that decision in any formal way.
During council remarks, Doherty said she had concerns about the back-up system at the county, where each council appoints an alternate to fill in should either of their representatives not be able to attend.
“That person would not be compensated to the same degree. Either they should be fairly compensated or the structure should stay as it is,” said Doherty. “I am not in agreement with the magnitude of the increase in pay that has been supported by council.”
“I’m troubled with how this is playing out. I’m not supportive,” she said.
Jeffery noted that county councillors had not received a pay increase in a while, but she was surprised at how big of an increase was voted through. She noted the pay increase was approved with the 32 council member system still in place.
“It doesn’t mean county council can’t go back and change the compensation... but I honestly believe we don’t agree all the time. If you don’t have a second voice there from our municipality, that contrary position will never come up,” said Jeffery.
Collingwood council voted 7-2 in favour of approving the change, with Doherty and Jeffery opposed.
— With files from Nikki Cole