Amherstburg town councillors will soon get a report about whether it should move to a ward system.
Now, Amherstburg councillors are elected at large, but Mayor Michael Prue says some living in rural areas of town don't feel they are getting equal representation on the council.
Amherstburg is the only municipality in Essex County that still elects councillors at large.
The town did hold a referendum during the last municipal election, but Prue said the results, 52 per cent in favour of moving to a ward system, isn't binding.
"The Province of Ontario, when they allow referendums, you have to have a 60 per cent turnout," said Prue. "No municipality in Ontario gets a 60 per cent turnout, but I still think we have an obligation to explore this further because the people voted for it."
Prue said he asked for the report now because the deadline to make changes for the next election is coming up fast. Under Ontario law, municipalities are prohibited from making changes during an election year.
Before any changes are implemented, Prue said residents will be consulted.
He said there are a couple of options the town could consider. One would split the town into five wards with one councillor representing each one, or three wards with two councillors.
The Clerk's report could come at the next Amherstburg town council meeting on July 14 or the meeting after that on July 28.
