An “acting mayor” will be part of the next city council.
The new position, approved by the current council on Feb. 5, will be filled by a different councillor on a rotating basis for one-year terms. The councillor with the highest vote total in this year’s municipal election will serve as acting mayor the first year, and so on.
The acting mayor will preside at meetings when the mayor is absent and will have all the authority of the mayor while doing so.
The position was to be called “deputy mayor” but was changed at the request of Coun. Anne Marie Gillis.
She said “deputy” suggests power while “acting” is a better word because it connotes stability and continuity on council.