Council size could be reviewed in 2014

I would only support this move if it was recommended by an independent commission, such as how the electoral boundaries are determined. I believe any decisions on council honorariums, electoral boundaries, size of the council, etc should always be determined at arm’s length to leave the politics out of it. With that said, I also support the ward system of council, not council elected at large. For example, I live in Wilmot and the issues are different than downtown. What if 7 of 8 councillors are elected from downtown. Would dollars be allocated for ditch infilling? Going off topic a bit I know.


Council size could be reviewed in 2014

Journal Pioneer
Published on August 3, 2011
Published on August 3, 2011
Mike Carson
SUMMERSIDE – Is the city of Summerside over governed?
The recent trend in the Maritimes seems to be leaning towards smaller municipal councils.
The Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board recently issued a decision for two councils to shrink. The Halifax Regional Municipality's council is to be reduced from 23 to 16 members. Cape Breton Regional Municipal council could see a reduction of its elected officials from 16 to 12.
Charlottetown Mayor Clifford Lee said this week the possibility of trimming the capital city's council is a question that should be asked.
As the numbers now stand, a Charlottetown city councillor represents about 3,200 constituents while in Summerside it's half that, about 1,555 per councillor.
A review of council's size would happen via the electoral boundaries commission.
Under Summerside's Election Bylaw, the commission must be established every four years. This means the electoral commission will come into effect in 2014.
It's a three-member commission comprised of a judge or a retired judge of the Supreme Court of Prince Edward Island, a former city councillor or mayor and a person who has never been elected as a councillor of mayor.
Summerside Mayor Basil Stewart said the topic of reducing the council size here has not been discussed by this city council.
"I know that every few years we have to look at the size of the wards to make sure that their populations are within so many per cent," he said.
Stewart said in essence the city has reduced the number of councillors representing the amalgamated area of Summerside by eliminating several council seats that were once held the communities of Wilmot St. Eleanors.
"When amalgamation took place here in 1995 there were six (councillors) in Wilmot, six in St. Eleanors and six in Summerside," he said. "So when they formed the new city, I think at that time they went from 18 (councillors) to eight, if you look at it that way."
Stewart said the issue has yet to make it to the council floor, but it could come if it's something council wants to discuss.
"It's an interesting subject, no doubt about that," the mayor said.
The electoral boundaries commission does come into play in 2014 and part of its mandate in reviewing wards and procedures is to hold public hearings for public input.
There is no provision as to the number of councillors that may represent the city.
The mayor sees Summerside as being on a par with other municipalities of similar size in the Maritimes.
"Off the top of my head, I think we're in the norm," Stewart said. "If you look at New Glasgow and Bathurst, I think Bathurst has eight (councillors). With municipalities of our size I think we're in the norm. It would make for some interesting discussions. I haven't heard any councillors discussing anything like whether we have too few or too many or those kinds of things."
The entire budget for mayor and council for 2011 is projected to be about $309,000, with the mayor and council honorarium at $183,933; conferences and memberships at $95,400; and administrative at $30,000.