The date for Burns Lake’s by-election to choose a new mayor has been set for Dec. 10, 2016.
Former Burns Lake Mayor Luke Strimbold announced he was resigning from office effective immediately on Sept. 15, 2016. Strimbold had approximately two years left on this term.
During last week’s council meeting - the first meeting since the resignation of Mayor Strimbold -, council appointed councillor John Illes as the new acting mayor.
Sheryl Worthing, chief administrative officer for the Village of Burns Lake, was appointed chief election officer for the purpose of conducting the upcoming by-election.
Worthing has been appointed the chief election officer for the past eight elections/by-elections/referendums.
City clerk Cameron Hart was appointed deputy chief election officer.
Although no councillors have yet announced they will be running for mayor, they have until Oct. 5, 2016 to make that announcement and resign as councillors.
According to Worthing, council can still function with one less councillor since three elected officials is quorum. However, if more than one councillor chooses to run for mayor, the village will have to notify the provincial government for direction.
If council is reduced to less than a quorum, the province may take two different actions - order that the remaining members of council constitute a quorum until the new mayor is elected; or appoint qualified persons to fill the vacancies until the new mayor takes office.