Clearwater County council has scrapped a policy that previously required councillors to host regular, formal public drop-in sessions.
Reeve Jordon Northcott — one of only two councillors from the previous term who introduced the policy — said there was limited buy-in from the public.
“I did attend these sessions in the past, and there was very little participation from residents,” he said, adding they were often held during the day when many people were at work.
The original intent of the sessions was to create meaningful opportunities for residents to engage with councillors and connect one-on-one with their elected representatives.
While introducing the motion to rescind the policy, Northcott added that councillors remain available to residents by telephone and email at any time.
The idea was first introduced at the June 14, 2022, regular council meeting, when council gave notice of motion directing administration to schedule three-hour drop-in sessions with residents beginning in September 2022.
A motion by former councillor Genny Mehlhaff directed administration to schedule councillors for the sessions on a weekly rotation for a one-year trial period.
Former councillor Michelle Swanson hosted the first session on Friday, Sept. 2, 2022, at the county’s main administration building.
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