Deputy mayor or acting mayor? Stouffville council to decide

Altmann wants deputy mayor for guidance and to help him when he’s busy

Yorkregion.com
May 30, 2015
By Sandra Bolan

The difference between a deputy mayor and an acting mayor is essentially just the name, according to a Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville staff report that will go to town council Tuesday.

The report recommends council change its current title of “acting mayor” to “deputy mayor” and the title of “alternate acting mayor” to “vice-deputy mayor.”

The current acting mayor, which is filled on a rotating basis by all of the currently elected councillors, assumes the duties, rights, powers and authority of the mayor in circumstances set out by the Municipal Act, according to the bylaw.

The proposed job description for the deputy mayor provides more details and includes: chairing council meetings; calling special council meetings; carrying out duties of the mayor in emergencies and acting as a signing authority on behalf of the corporation.

As well, concurrently with the mayor, the deputy mayor would represent the municipality at official functions as well as the mayor in meetings.

Whitchurch-Stouffville, along with East Gwillimbury and King Township currently utilize a roster of acting or deputy mayors, respectively, according to the report.

In Aurora, the member of council with the most votes is the deputy mayor. Members of council are elected at-large. There is no ward system, according to the report.

Markham, Richmond Hill and Vaughan each have a regional councillor elected at-large. The one with the most votes is also the deputy mayor, according to the report.

Altmann wanted to appoint Councillor Rob Hargrave as deputy mayor during the April 21 council meeting. The motion could not get a seconder and it died on the floor.

Altmann said, at the time, he wanted a deputy mayor for guidance and to help him when he’s busy.

The council meeting begins Tuesday at 7 p.m., at the municipal offices, 111 Sandiford Dr.