County of Simcoe changes course, splitting council in half

Simcoe County council will reduce its size in a hotly debated motion to find efficiencies.

The County of Simcoe is reversing a decision to increase its size after hotly contested debate.

On Tuesday, a motion was approved to support adjusting the size of county council from 32 members to 16 members, plus a full-time warden, but it came close to not passing.

Councillors were split down the middle over the course of their 2 hour discussion, voting 16 in favour and 16 against.

However, the motion passed under the County’s weighted voting system, reversing council’s decision to increase to 33 members with a full-time warden last fall.

“Our long-standing structure, with our mayors and deputy mayors both serving on county council, has served our communities well,” said Warden Basil Clarke. “However, we recognize that our council is large in size, and that it’s prudent to make this change going forward.”

The Warden said that technological improvements made going forward with reducing council’s size possible.

Notably, many councillors attended Tuesday’s meeting virtually.

“Whether it be zoom meetings, emails, we’re able to get our agendas quicker, more time to study,” he added. “We can deliver the same services with 16, with just the mayors, so that was the decision and that’s something that’s been on the table at every term of council as long as I’ve been here. We always look at our efficiencies, is there a way we can be more efficient to the taxpayers. Less people is always kind of perceived as more efficient.”

To take effect, the decision must be approved through a triple majority process.

After the county’s support, public consultations are required to consider a draft bylaw. If the bylaw is passed by the county, it would be sent to the 16 lower-tier municipalities for their approval.

If approved, the elected mayors of each municipality will serve as the default county representatives. The full-time warden will be chosen by the incoming council. Should they be confirmed, these decisions would take effect next term, starting in 2026.