An Okotoks town councillor has resigned.

On March 21, councillor Cheryl Actemichuk submitted her resignation to Chief Administrative Officer Elaine Vincent, citing personal reasons.

Actemichuk was elected to council in 2021 and was serving her first term.

Her resignation will be reported to council at their March 25 meeting, as per the Municipal Government Act (MGA).

The MGA states that if a council vacancy occurs within 18 months of a general election, no by-election is required.

According to the council agenda, because Actemichuk's resignation came 19 months before next year's election, council now has two options.

Firstly, they can hold a by-election, which, combined with the training of a new councillor, would cost an estimated $40,000.

Alternatively, they could write a letter to Municipal Affairs Minister Ric McIver to request that the time for filling the vacancy be extended until the next election:

The mayor may write a letter to the Minister of Municipal Affairs requesting an order under this provision based on only being short 30 days of the 18-month period before a general election. This request could note that the Council consists of 6 members (with the vacancy) and is not based on a ward system," reads the agenda item.

Council will decide which course of action to pursue on Monday.

The March 25 agenda can be seen here.