The Town of LaSalle will consider options for filling a Town Council seat vacated by the passing of a longtime councillor.
Councillors will consider a report outlining those choices at their meeting on Tuesday night.
The report provides options to fill the seat left open by the death of Councillor Sue Desjarlais, who passed away last month following an illness.
Desjarlais had served on council for almost 20 years.
Town Council declared the seat officially vacant at its May 13 meeting. The Ontario Municipal Act requires that the seat be filled within 60 days of that declaration.
There are two options open. Councillors could appoint someone to fill the seat for the remainder of Desjarlais' term, or they could schedule a by-election.
If councillors decide to go the appointment route, they may appoint someone who is not already an employee of the Town, a judge, or a member of the Ontario Legislature. Councillors may also choose a candidate who lost in the 2022 municipal election or open up a public application process.
The report recommends that councillors approve a public application process to fill Desjarlais' seat.
If councillors decide to hold a by-election, they must decide no later than July 8. Based on that, nominations must be made within 60 days, with voting day taking place no later than 45 days from nominating.
Whoever ends up filling Desjarlais' seat will have just over a year to serve before the 2026 municipal election, when voters will be asked to choose a new council.
The complete report can be found on the Town of LaSalle's official website.