With municipal councils being elected to four-year terms this week, councillors have an even bigger job ahead than their predecessors, says Mountain View County reeve Bruce Beattie.
This year is the first time Alberta councils are being elected for four-year terms; previous terms have been for three years, a level set in the 1960s.
Beattie, who was acclaimed for a second term in Division 4 on Sept. 23, says increasing the length of terms will necessarily create a larger commitment for the new councils and councillors.
“Particularly if you are looking at two terms, when you are looking at eight years instead of six, it is a significant change in that regard and the time and the commitment it takes,” said Beattie.
“It takes a lot of time to be an effective councillor and it is a big commitment. When you are looking at two terms, eight years is a long time to be committed to the job.”
Although he “wasn't a fan of the change to four-year terms (and) that it was a provincial decision” Beattie said he can also see some positives in the switch.
“On the plus side it gives you an extra year to accomplish things,” he said. “We know things move slowly in government, so it does give you that opportunity, in terms of achieving the long-term goals and getting things dealt with.
“Also it reduces costs of elections over a given period of time, and it is an expensive proposition when there are elections.”
School trustees are also being elected to four-year terms this election.
