General News

County to host public meeting about Council and Head of Council

February 13, 2025   ·   0 Comments

By Brian Lockhart

The County of Simcoe will be hosting a public meeting on Tuesday, Mar. 11, 2025, in the Council Chamber at the County of Simcoe Administration Centre to provide the public with an opportunity to provide feedback on a proposed by-law to change the composition of County Council and the appointment of the Head of Council (Warden).

The by-law proposes that County Council be reduced from the existing size of 32 members to a 17-member council that would include only the mayors of the 16 lower-tier municipalities and a Head of Council.

The Head of Council is currently appointed from members of council and therefore serves both on County Council and a lower-tier council.

The by-law proposes to establish a Head of Council that serves exclusively on County Council for a four-year term.

The position of Warden would be appointed by County Council from among eligible electors who put their names forward.

The by-law includes required updates to the existing weighted vote system.

Residents can participate in this process and provide feedback on the by-law by either registering to speak in-person or by providing written comments.

The public meeting will occur on March 11 at 10 a.m. in the County of Simcoe Administration Centre at 1110 Highway 26, Midhurst.

To register to speak in person, or to provide written comments, please email clerks@simcoe.ca, before noon, on March 10.

Following the public meeting, a final version of the by-law will be brought forward for consideration by Council at a subsequent meeting.

Should the final by-law be passed by County Council, it will be circulated to the 16 lower-tier councils for further consideration as part of the “Triple Majority” process.

If the by-law achieves the required consent, changes to County Council would take effect for the next term of Council, beginning in November 2026 following the municipal election. 

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