COUNCIL SIZE & DISTRICT BOUNDARY REVIEW 2022
What is a Boundary Review?
The
Municipal Government Act requires each municipality in Nova Scotia to conduct a review every eight years on the number of Councillors (Council size), the number of polling districts, and the boundaries of polling districts. This year, 2022, is a review year. After the review is completed, Council makes a recommendation and the Municipality applies to the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board (NSUARB) to
confirm or alter the number of Councillors and polling district boundaries. Any changes to the size of Council or location of polling district boundaries will be in effect for the 2024 municipal election.
Public Engagement
Public engagement is an essential part of the review. Residents of the Municipality will have various opportunities to be involved in determining the size of Municipal Council and location of district boundaries.
There is more than one way to have your say - check out the information below.
The first step of the Boundary Review is to determine the size of Council. Do you believe the current number of elected officials serves the needs of the community and offers appropriate representation for residents? Or do you want changes to be made to the number of Councillors?
The second step of the Boundary Review will look at the location of boundaries between polling districts.
Prior to making decisions on the size of Council and location of district boundaries, we want to hear your ideas, views, and opinions.
Participate and Share Your Feedback
We’re looking forward to hearing from you! There will be multiple opportunities for residents of the Municipality of the County of Kings to participate and provide feedback on the size of Council and district boundaries, in person, online, and in writing. You are welcome to share your views in more than one way.
Helpful information can be found in the Resources section below.
IN PERSON - Public Engagement Sessions:
There will be two rounds of public engagement sessions:
- The first round will be to provide information on the boundary review and to gather initial feedback.
- There will be another session to provide a summary of what we heard and to present options.
| All residents of the Municipality of the County of Kings are welcome to attend any number of the following sessions: |
| First Round: Information & Initial Feedback |
Tuesday, September 27
7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. |
Central:
Municipal Building
181 Coldbrook Village Park Drive
Coldbrook |
Wednesday, October 5
7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. |
West: Port Williams Community Centre
1045 Main Street
Port Williams |
Thursday, October 6
7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. |
East: Kingston Fire Hall
570 Sparky Street
Kingston |
| Second Round: What We Heard & Options |
Thursday, October 20
7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. |
Central:
Municipal Building
181 Coldbrook Village Park Drive
Coldbrook |
All venues are accessible.
What to Expect:
The sessions will be conducted in ‘World Café’ format. Background information will be provided to allow attendees to take part in a meaningful way. Attendees will have the opportunity to discuss the topics in small groups. Comments and suggestions will be included in a recommendation report to Council. Snacks and beverages will be provided. Attendees are encouraged to wear masks and practice physical distancing.
Registration to attend the sessions in person is not mandatory, but it would be helpful to know how many people to plan for. Click on the button below to RSVP and indicate which session(s) you plan to attend.
ONLINE SESSIONS
Although attendance in person is preferred, online participation is possible at the sessions on September 27 and October 20. Click on the appropriate link below to sign up to participate virtually:
(Closed)
ONLINE - Survey:
The survey closed at midnight on Friday, October 21, 2022
ONLINE - Interactive Map:
Check out the districts and district boundaries and provide comments by clicking on the map below.
The deadline for comments has passed.
IN WRITING - Send a Written Submission:
Share your feedback on the Boundary Review by sending a written submission via mail, email, or fax:
Municipality of the County of Kings
Boundary Review 2022
181 Coldbrook Village Park Drive
Coldbrook, NS B4R 1B9
Tel. 1-888-337-2999
or 902-678-6141
Fax (902) 678-9279
If you require assistance with any of the above ways to provide feedback or have any accessibility needs, please don’t hesitate to contact us!
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
The Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board (NSUARB) has scheduled a Public Hearing on Thursday April 13th, 2023 at 10:00 am in the Council Chambers at the Municipality of the County of Kings regarding the Municipality’s Application under Section 369 of the Municipal Government Act (MGA) to confirm the number of Councillors for the Municipality at nine (9) and to modify the Municipality’s Polling District Boundaries.
A copy of the Boundary Review 2022 Study completed by the Municipality in 2022 and submitted to the NSUARB as part of the Application under Section 369 MGA can be viewed from the Resources section below.
Feedback received from the public will be gathered and presented to Municipal Council and will inform the recommendation from municipal staff to Council on confirming or altering the number of Councillors and the district boundaries. Council then submits an application to the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board.
Once the application has been submitted, the Nova Scotia Utility and Review Board schedules a Public Hearing. Members of the public are invited to participate in the Hearing or to comment on the application.
The final decision on the number of Councillors and the district boundaries is made by the Board.
- The Municipality of the County of Kings is the third largest municipality in Nova Scotia, after the Halifax Regional Municipality and Cape Breton Regional Municipality, with 47,918 residents (2021).
- The Towns of Berwick, Kentville, and Wolfville are located within the Kings County area, but are separate municipalities with their own Councils and staff. When adding the number of residents of the Towns, the total population of the Kings County area is 62,914 (2021).
- Seven Villages are part of the Municipality of the County of Kings:
- Aylesford
- Canning
- Cornwallis Square
- Greenwood
- Kingston
- New Minas
- Port Williams
- The most recent Boundary Review, conducted in 2015/2016, resulted in the Municipality moving from a Warden to a Mayor system, and a reduction in the number of Councillors and districts from eleven to nine.
- The Municipality has a long history: it was officially incorporated as a Municipality in 1879.
The Council of the Municipality of the County of Kings comprises a Mayor and nine Councillors. Each Councillor is elected by voters from a district and the Mayor is elected by all voters of the Municipality. Click
here to meet your Mayor and Councillors and to see the districts.
Council is elected by the residents of the Municipality to make decisions about municipal services, by-laws, policies, and programs. In addition to attending monthly Council and Committee of the Whole meetings, Councillors serve on an average of seven boards and committees each, attend public hearings and public information meetings, and communicate almost daily with constituents in their districts. Click on the links below to see job descriptions for the Mayor and Councillor & Deputy Mayor.
The Municipality provides a multitude of services, either directly or through third parties, including:
- Recreation
- Sewer and Water Services
- Waste Collection
- Community Grants
- Roads & Sidewalks
- Public Transportation
- Land Use Planning
- Building & Development Services
- Animal Control
- Fire & Emergency Services
These services have a direct impact on people who live and work in the Municipality, and those who have businesses here. The cost for providing these services is covered by revenue from residential and commercial property taxes.
Council develops a Strategic Plan to pinpoint Key Strategic Priorities for the coming years and outline which projects staff carry out. These include projects in the areas of accessibility, diversity, active transportation, green energy, economic development, broadband, and more. Have a look at the current Strategic Plan for 2021-2024
here, it’s worth reading!