Prince Edward County is preparing to ask its residents if their council needs to be the size it currently is.
During Thursday’s council meeting, council reviewed a motion calling for a question on the ballot of the next municipal election, asking if residents support a third-party review of ward boundaries and the size of council, to see if the size should be adjusted.
The topic has come up for debate several times and a series of public meetings were held to hear the opinions of residents. It was noted that the meetings had poor attendance, with only seven people turning out at the busiest meeting.
The question that municipal staff recommended be used on the ballot is “are you in favour of a third-party review of council size and related ward boundaries?”
The motion prompted some debate, with Councillor Janice Maynard opposed to the motion. She said that low turnout at the public meetings indicates people aren’t interested in a review.
“To spend this money and go down this road yet again is, to me, not a good use of our time,” said Councillor Maynard. “We know from the previous time that this is a very divisive issue.”
After a brief debate, the motion passed on a recorded vote 9-3. Councillors Roy Pennell, David Harrison, and Janice Maynard were opposed.
