With the Mayor of Moose Jaw now resigned and no full-time mayor in place, what is the next step for the City of Moose Jaw? 

City Manager Jim Puffalt answered some of those questions following a special city council meeting on Tuesday night. 

Puffalt said they are likely looking at early November for the byelection in order to avoid conflicting with the current federal election. 

“We do know that we won't start anything until after the federal election is complete on the 20th and I think our start date is the 22nd. So, we'll be at it right afterward,” Puffalt said.  

“But in the meantime, we're already preparing for the byelection, and so we'll be ready to go. As soon as the report gets to council on Monday, we'll have the specific dates determined.” 

According to the Local Government Election Act, 2015, municipal byelections must be held within six months of the position being vacated. 

The byelection could also keep the city clerk and city solicitor’s office busy. 

With the retirement of Myron Gulka-Tiechko, Tracy Wittke is the acting city clerk and Puffalt had the utmost confidence in her ability with her experience as returning officer for past municipal elections. 

“Ms. Wittke has actually been the one that has done the elections before, so she's well versed in elections,” Puffalt said. 

Also on Tuesday night, city council appointed Dawn Luhning as acting mayor. Puffalt said the vacancy shouldn’t hinder the business being done in council chambers. 

“It really is carry-on business as usual. As you know, when it comes to a general election there is certainly a time period where it gets a little bit inappropriate to bring forward new initiatives because you shouldn't be acting for a new council,” Puffalt said.  

“In this circumstance, because we have an existing council, it's easier to carry on with business as usual.” 

One unique scenario that could occur is if city council is split 3-3 on a motion. A split council would mean that the motion would be defeated as it would need to be passed by a clear majority. 

Puffalt added that he was confident that we won’t see many split votes. 

“We found that this council is, you know, generally very good for coming to conclusions and consensus-building, and so if it happens, it happens. That's the way democracy is, and we learn to live with that,” he said. 

Discover Moose Jaw will be at city council on Monday night and will keep you up-to-date as more details become available about the byelection.