As well as a vacant seat on Viking Council up for grabs this spring, there are more changes coming. Council passed third reading at last month’s meeting to a bylaw that gives five elected councillors the right to choose who will act as mayor.
Town residents will vote for five councillor positions in the next municipal election set for Oct. 20, 2025. Voters will not vote for a mayor.
Viking’s Mayor Jamie Buttner will be the last mayor to win election into office in a separate vote. He is on record as being in favour of council electing its own mayor from within council ranks.
If everyone runs for a council position, he said, the chances of being able to retain more interested candidates go up.
Council passed third and final reading to the proposed bylaw on this matter after a special meeting held Dec. 18 regarding “Appointment of Chief Elected Official Bylaw No. 2023-724.” The chief elected official named in the bylaw is another term for the position of mayor, who will be the chief official through election by council.
Former councillor Judy Acres spoke in favour of the change to the bylaw.
Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) Doug Lefsrud presented the subject matter and the reason for the public hearing. Lefsrud also presented written submissions and subject matters.
After this, council gave the bylaw third and final reading.
Patricia Harcourt
Editor
