Municipal Boundary Review Process
Public Hearing ScheduledThe Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board will be holding a virtual public hearing on April 14, 2023 concerning the Town of Mahone Bay's application to the Board to confirm the number of councillors for the Town. To read a full pdf version of the notice, click here.
The Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board (NSUARB) is required by the Municipal Government Act to conduct reviews of the number and boundaries of municipal polling districts and the number of councillors, this review occurs every 8 years. Mahone Bay Town Council is currently composed of six councillors, elected-at-large, plus a mayor. Council will have to make a submission to the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board stating what Council composition should look like in the future, specifically
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Preference Declared by Council
Town Council is required to declare a preference to stimulate discussion among the public, and Council has declared that there preference is for Council to be comprised of six Councillors + a mayor.
This declared preference does not presuppose the ultimate recommendation that Council will make the to NS Utility and Review Board. It is a part of the prescribed process that Council declare a preference and the ultimate submission to the Utility and Review Board will be made after Council has received all of the feedback received during the public engagement process.
Town Council is required to declare a preference to stimulate discussion among the public, and Council has declared that there preference is for Council to be comprised of six Councillors + a mayor.
This declared preference does not presuppose the ultimate recommendation that Council will make the to NS Utility and Review Board. It is a part of the prescribed process that Council declare a preference and the ultimate submission to the Utility and Review Board will be made after Council has received all of the feedback received during the public engagement process.
Why does this matter to the people of Mahone Bay?
Because this process determines what representation looks like at Council, your local government.
Council will reach out to the public for YOUR opinion before making their submission to the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board.
How will the Town seek out public input?
- A regular newsletter feature about the review process
- A survey was conducted in May 2022 to ask people if their preference was for a Council composed of six Councillors + a mayor (status quo) or four Councillors + a mayor.
- A notice was sent to residents in August via Canada Post with information on how to share your thoughts and the deadline to submit, the notice can be seen here
- A public meeting will be held on Wednesday, September 7th at 7pm at the Town's new fire hall so that members of the community can participate in a discussion about this issue
What happens after the public engagement segment is completed?
- Public feedback will be taken into consideration when Council develops their recommendation
- Council will make their submission (recommendation) to the Utility and Review Board
Independent Public Hearing
Once the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board has received the recommendation from Council, the Board will schedule and publicize their own independent Public Hearing in the community. This public hearing is an additional opportunity for members of the public to submit their comments before the final decision is made.
Decision
Once the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board makes their decision, they will advise Council, and that decision will determine the way that future municipal elections are held.
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The Questions
Should there be polling districts? In the Town of Mahone Bay, everybody has the option to vote for any of the names on the ballot - this is what it means that local government representatives are elected "at large". The question is whether elections in Mahone Bay should continue to function this way or should people only be able to vote for specific people based on the area in which they live - this is what it means to vote based on a "polling district". |
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Newsletter with additional information
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Should Mahone Bay Town Council be made up of four Councillors + a mayor OR six Councillors + a mayor? The decision here is about what is the best number of people to represent the electors of Mahone Bay? What are the deciding factors for this recommendation? Generally, this is based on representation (who is sitting around the Council table? is this a good representation of the community?), workload (what do Councillors do? are there enough people to share the load?), costs (members of Council receive an honorarium, and there are expenses incurred for training, travel, etc), and how do the numbers work if there is a split decision. What do you think about this? Are there other factors that go into your decision? |
A Special Edition Newsletter was published in August with information about the Municipal Boundary Review Process, the purpose of the process, and further information about things like what a member of Council does, and costs associated with Council.
The full newsletter can be read here, but please contact staff if you have any further questions, and we would really love to hear your thoughts on the size of Council.
The full newsletter can be read here, but please contact staff if you have any further questions, and we would really love to hear your thoughts on the size of Council.
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Tell us your thoughts!
We want to know what you think!
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Send us your comments
email: [email protected] mail: PO Box 530, Mahone Bay, NS B0J 2E0 in person: 493 Main Street (drop box by front door if after-hours) Comments will be received until September 19th
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Join us for a conversation
Public Meeting September 7, 2022 at 7pm at 41 Hawthorn Road (new firehall) |