The Warden of Grey County is Arlene Wright — again.
Wright was acclaimed to a second term as Warden on Tuesday night at the first meeting of the new county council.
The Owen Sound City County Councillor announced several weeks ago her intention to seek another one year term.
Duncan McKinlay — the Deputy Mayor of The Blue Mountains — was also nominated but he declined the nomination.
Wright said in her speech after being sworn in that Grey and its municipalities have some significant challenges ahead.
In 2010 the county’s budget deliberations resulted in a tax decrease, which was of much help to lower-tier municipalities.
But Wright says it will be almost impossible for Grey to repeat that success in 2011.
She says an expected tax increase at the county, combined with a continued decreased in the amount of grants available from the province, will “hurt” municipalities.
Wright says municipalities must consider the sharing of services, as was talked about many times during the recent election campaign, and the county must consider how it can facilitate that process.
And the Warden says council will have to also look closely at itself — does council need to have 18 members, or could it get away with only nine?
It’s an interesting question considering eight members of the new council are new to the chamber, or have been away from it for a period of time.
The new members — all of whom were sworn in on Tuesday night — are Chatsworth Deputy Mayor Terry McKay, Grey Highlands Mayor Wayne Fitzgerald and Deputy Mayor Paul McQueen, Hanover Deputy Mayor Bob White, Meaford Deputy Mayor Harley Greenfield, Owen Sound Mayor Deb Haswell, Southgate Deputy Mayor Norman Jack and West Grey Deputy Mayor John Bell.
White, Greenfield and Haswell all have experience on County Council but the other five newcomers are brand new.
