Township considers ward changes

Havelock-Belmont-Methuen report shows unbalanced council representation

Residents of Havelock-BelmontMethuen Township are being asked for their opinions on changing the municipal electoral ward system in the municipality.

Township council is reviewing the system and has set up a public survey because a report last fall from Bob Angione, chief administrative officer, outlined how recent election results show unbalanced representation between two wards.

Village Ward voters are electing 20 per cent of council members with 12 to 13 per cent of eligible voters, while Township Ward voters are electing 20 per cent of council members with 87 to 88 per cent of the eligible electors.

In the current system, where voters elect a five-member council, all voters can vote for the positions of mayor, deputy mayor and councillor-at-large. They can also vote for one position for ward councillor, either the Township Ward councillor or Village Ward councillor, depending which ward they live in.

A ward system survey was inserted into recent tax bills, showing three possible considerations: the electoral ward system would remain unchanged; the boundaries of the two current wards would allow for an equal number of eligible voters in each ward; and the ward system would be eliminated and all members of council would be elected at large.

Revising electoral boundaries is typically an involved process, says Angione’s report.

“Many municipalities hire a consultant to undertake a ward boundary review. The cost to hire a consultant is estimated to be $40,000 to $60,000 in total. This item is currently not budgeted for but could be included in the 2024 budget,” it says.

A special council meeting to receive input from the community is slated for a future date.

Township Ward voters are electing 20 per cent of council members with 87 to 88 per cent of the eligible electors