Cochrane Town Council is looking into possibly reducing its own size – from a mayor and six councillors to a mayor and four councillors.
Mayor Denis Clement says it’s part of his council’s mandate to review all policies and procedures. Now is the time for this review, eleven months from the next election.
The mayor says he hasn’t decided where he stands on the issue. He’s adamant it’s council’s responsibility, and not a question for a referendum.
“An easy way to do it is to put it on a ballot,” he submits. “That’s not what we’ve been elected to do. It’s a review, it’s certainly nothing etched in stone.”
The move would save the $9,000 honorarium for the two members of council, plus expenses, for a total of about $30,000.
“For one year,” says Mayor Clement, “30,000 is not a huge hit to the budget, but you multiply that by ten years, you’re talking $300,000. It becomes significant.”