LAC LA BICHE - One councillor thought a full month off between meetings was excessive — but the majority of council voted in favour of the break that will start on July 25 and go to August 22.
The gap means that regular Lac La Biche County council meetings slated for August 1 and August 8 have been removed from the schedule
"This means a month between meetings," said councillor Darlene Beniuk. "I would say missing one meeting .. but a month straight? I don't think that's a good idea."
In 2023, council's online meeting calendar has no dates listed from September to the end of the year, but with scheduled meetings mandated for the first, second and fourth Tuesdays of every month — and with the summer break included — council's nine elected members will meet for 28 regular meetings over the year.
Councillors in scheduled meetings lasting longer than four hours can claim $286 for their time. Meetings lasting less than four hours are eligible for a $143 claim.
Although council's regular meetings will see a summer break, some committee meetings and external meetings will still be taking place for individual council members.
Mayor Paul Reutov was one of the council members OK with the summer recess, saying it could mean a pretty busy meeting for the first one back, but that would be tackled when it comes.
New Deputy Mayor
Council has eight more meetings to their summer break, starting with their next one on May 9.
Councillor Sterling Johnson will begin May as the newly appointed Deputy-Mayor. Council voted to appoint Johnson to a six month term as the Deputy-Mayor, taking over from the previous six-month term served by councillor Kevn Pare. Lac La Biche County's elected officials decided to offer each of the eight council members the opportunity to serve for a six-month term as deputy mayor during their four-year term on council.
