Prescott is preparing for the possibility of a lame duck period.
Municipal Clerk Kimberly Casselman will be drafting a by-law for the next council meeting that gives authority for specific financial signings to CAO Pierre Mercier and Treasurer Mathew Armstrong. The authority will exist from July 27th to December 3rd and covers financial signing for spending funds outside of the budget, as well as staff hiring or firing.
A lame duck period is when fewer than 75 per cent of the council members are returning to council. Casselman says because of a shortened nomination period Prescott could end up in a lame duck position before the new council is sworn in. The Municipal Act includes restrictions on what a lame duck council can do, which is why the town is giving Armstrong and Mercier authority.
Councillor Ray Young explained the move as a way of preventing a vindictive council from harming the town just before leaving office. Councillor Lee McConnell added that they don’t disappear on July 27th and will continue giving their input on matters from staff.
Mayor Brett Todd finished by saying when a lame duck period has occurred in the past procedure doesn’t change much at all.
