As of tomorrow, Bancroft Council will have 60 days to figure out how it will fill the vacant mayor position.
This comes as Mayor Bernice Jenkins’ resignation takes effect tomorrow. Jenkins announced her resignation in September. She had been on a leave of absence since April, on the advice of her doctor and her family.
Council now has to decide how it will replace her. CAO Hazel Lambe says council can choose to promote a current councillor to the role, appoint a Bancroft resident to it, or hold an election. If a current councillor were promoted to mayor, someone would have to be appointed or elected to take up their empty seat.
Lambe says holding an election to find a new mayor could cost the town over $6,000. If council chooses to appoint someone to the position, Lambe says it could cost up to $1,000 to advertise.
The issue will be in front of council during its next meeting on December 12th. If council chooses to hold an election, it would have to be done as soon as possible. Paul Jenkins says it’s unlikely council will go that route.