Municipal government of King, Ontario


The municipal government of King, Ontario consists of the mayor and six councillors who are elected to office during the municipal elections in Ontario or who are acclaimed to office because their candidacy is unopposed. It also includes civic staff responsible for the operational affairs of the township.

Wards

A ward system was proposed by William Hodgson during a speech he delivered at the township's electoral nomination meeting on 20 November 1961.
The municipality is subdivided into six geopolitical wards. Ward 1 encompasses the region east of Keele Street and west of Bathurst Street, from the township's southern boundary to 19th Sideroad in the north. This includes the eastern portion of King City, and the communities of Eversley, Snowball, and Temperanceville. Ward 2 extends from Highway 400 in the east to 10th concession in the west, from the township's southern boundary to 15th sideroad in the north. It includes the communities of King Creek, Laskay, Nobleton, and Strange. Ward 3 covers all the western portion of the township, from its western border to the 10th concession, and also all the area east of Highway 400 that lies north of the 15th Sideroad and south of the 18th Sideroad. The communities of Hammertown, Happy Valley, Holly Park, Linton, and New Scotland are located in ward 3.
Ward 4 consists of the area east of the 10th concession and west of Highway 400, north of the 18th sideroad, and south the northern boundary of the township at its western end and of Highway 9 at its eastern end. It includes the communities of Lloydtown, Pottageville, and Schomberg. Ward 5 extends from the township's southern boundary to 19th Sideroad in the north, between Highway 400 in the west and Keele Street in the east. The western portion of King City and the communities of Kettleby and Kinghorn are located in ward 5. The northeastern portion of the township, north of Highway 9 west of Highway 400, and north of the 19th Sideroad east of Highway 400, is in ward 6. It includes the communities of Ansnorveldt and Glenville.

Council

The council of the township includes the mayor and six councillors. The mayor is Steve Pelligrini, and the councillors are Jordan Cescolini, David Boyd, Jakob Schneider, Bill Cober, Debbie Schaefer, and Avia Eek.
Upon election, the mayor automatically becomes a councillor for York Regional Council, its only representative from King. This automatic representation of an elected individual to a second council is known as a double direct election.

Elections

During municipal elections, electors cast ballots for candidate councillors and school board trustees representing their ward. Each year, the municipal government sets aside approximately $30,000 of revenues to allocate toward the cost of the municipal election.
In the 1800s, many elections were resolved by acclamation as candidates often had no opposition; the Newmarket Era issue of 16 December 1887 stated that "King Township usually elects by acclamation" when discussing the impending election of January 1888 for which the reeve and 3rd deputy reeve were acclaimed.
In 1873, a third deputy reeve was added to King Council as a result of a population increase, and specifically the number of properties on the tax roll. In the December 1962 municipal election, the electorate voted in favour of increasing councillor terms from one year to two years.
The creation of the Regional Municipality of York and the reorganization of its constituent municipalities in 1971 resulted in the abolition of the positions of reeve and deputy reeve, and created the position of mayor.
In 1910, the township electorate rejected a local option, voting in favour of the measure 741–515 but short of attaining the required 60% overall vote to pass the measure by 13 votes. In 1912, there was a 126–34 vote in favour of a local option.
In the late 1930s, the council passed an election bylaw under which terms councillors elected or acclaimed to office would hold that office for two years. It first applied to the December 1940 election, for which no candidate was opposed and all were elected by acclamation.

Councillors

YearReeve1st Deputy Reeve2nd Deputy Reeve3rd Deputy ReeveCouncillorCouncillorCouncillor
December 1854George HughesN/AN/A
December 1858John D. PhillipsWilliam MooreArthur ArmstrongJ. IrelandJames P. WellsN/AN/A
December 1859James P. WellsAndrew DavisWilliam MooreR. MachellArthur ArmstrongN/AN/A
December 1860James P. Wells†Andrew Davis†William Moore†Albert WebbArthur ArmstrongN/AN/A
December 1861James P. WellsAndrew DavisAlbert WebbWilliam MooreAlexander ThompsonN/A-
December 1862James P. WellsAlbert WebbN/AN/A
December 1867Joseph Stokes†MachellThompsonN/AN/A
December 1869Albert Webb†William MunsieJoel PhillipsArthur ArmstrongAndrew DavisJames BellWilliam Proctor
December 1870William MunsieJoel PhillipsJohn D. PhillipsWilliam BellJames RogersN/AN/A
December 1871William Munsie†Joel Phillips†John D. Phillips†N/AN/A
January 1873William MunsieJoel PhillipsJames RogersJames BellN/AN/AN/A
January 1874John D. Phillips†Joseph StokesJames RogersCharles IrwinArthur ArmstrongN/AN/A
December 1874John D. PhillipsJames C. StokesCharles HamblyCharles IrwinArthur ArmstrongN/AN/A
January 1876Joseph StokesJames C. Stokes†Charles Hambly†Charles Irwin†Arthur Armstrong†N/AN/A
December 1876Joseph Stokes†James C. Stokes†Charles Hambly†Arthur Armstrong†Elihu Davis†N/AN/A
December 1877Joseph StokesJames C. StokesCharles HamblyArthur ArmstrongElihu DavisN/AN/A
December 1878Joseph StokesJames C. StokesCharles HamblyArthur ArmstrongElihu DavisN/AN/A
December 1879Joseph Stokes†James C. Stokes†Charles Hambly†Arthur Armstrong†Elihu Davis†N/AN/A
December 1880Joseph Stokes†James C. Stokes†Charles Hambly†Arthur Armstrong†Elihu Davis†N/AN/A
January 1882Joseph StokesCharles HamblyCharles IrwinElihu DavisThomas Wilson N/AN/A
January 1883Elihu Davis†Charles Irwin†Thomas Wilson†Michael J. O'Neil†Robert Norman†N/AN/A
December 1883Elihu DavisCharles IrwinMichael J. O'NeilRobert NormanJohn BlackN/AN/A
December 1884Elihu Davis†Charles Irwin†Michael J. O'Neil†Robert Norman†John Black†N/AN/A
January 1886Elihu Davis†Charles IrwinJames CherryRobert Norman†John BlackN/AN/A
January 1887Robert Norman†John H. RossJames CherryJohn BlackStephen W. Armitage†N/AN/A
January 1888Robert Norman†John H. RossArchibald CampbellJohn Black†Stephen W. ArmitageN/AN/A
January 1889James O. StokesJohn H. Ross†Archibald Campbell†Stephen W. ArmitageArthur ArmstrongN/AN/A
January 1890James O. Stokes†John H. Ross†Archibald Campbell†Stephen W. Armitage†Arthur Armstrong†N/AN/A
January 1891James O. StokesArchibald Campbell†Stephen W. Armitage†Simeon LemonJames CherryN/AN/A
December 1891James O. Stokes†Archibald Campbell†Stephen W. Armitage†Simeon Lemon†James Cherry†N/AN/A
January 1893James C. StokesA. McCallumRobert McCutcheonSimeon LemonJames CherryN/AN/A
January 1894James C. Stokes†A. McCallum†Robert McCutcheon†Simeon Lemon†James Cherry†N/AN/A
January 1895James C. Stokes†A. McCallumRobert McCutcheonSimeon LemonJames Cherry†N/AN/A
January 1896Robert NormanA. McCallum†Robert McCutcheon†Simeon LemonJames Cherry†N/AN/A
January 1897James CherryRobert McCutcheon†Stephen W. ArmitageJohn HamblyC.H. LeggeN/AN/A
YearReeveCouncillorCouncillorCouncillorCouncillorCouncillorCouncillor
January 1899Simeon Lemon†C.H LeggeBurnsDavisGallagherN/AN/A
January 1900Simeon LemonC.H. LeggeRobert GallagherJ.W. BurnsJoseph RogersN/AN/A
January 1901Simeon LemonJ.W. BurnsJ.W CrossleyRobert GallagherJoseph RogersN/AN/A
January 1902J.W CrossleyJoseph RogersH.F. LeggeR.W. PhillipsStephen W. ArmitageN/AN/A
January 1903T.H. LeggeJ.W. LarkinR.W. PhillipsStephen W. ArmitageAlexander McMurchyN/AN/A
January 1905T.H. LeggeR.W. PhillipsStephen W. ArmitageAlexander McMurchyJohn WellsN/AN/A
January 1906T.H. LeggeAlexander McMurchyNormanDeaconBurnsN/AN/A
January 1907T.H. LeggeAlexander McMurchy†R.W. PhillipsWilliam DugganA.C. WellsN/AN/A
January 1908John ArmstrongAlexander McMurchy†BurnsDeaconR.W. PhillipsN/AN/A
January 1909Alexander McMurchy†R.W. Phillips†William DugganA.C. WellsCarleyN/AN/A
January 1910Alexander McMurchyR.W. PhillipsLemonA.C. WellsWilliam DugganN/AN/A
January 1912Alexander McMurchyWilliam J. WellsS. LemonJohn A. WatsonB. McCabeN/AN/A
January 1913Alexander McMurchy†William J. WellsCornelius F. McCabeJ. A. WatsonLemonN/AN/A
January 1915John A. WatsonN/AN/A
January 1916William J. Wells†Cornelius F. McCabeT.A. McCutcheonEdward J. KaakeAaron CampbellN/AN/A
January 1917William J. Wells†Cornelius F. McCabeT.A. McCutcheonEdward J. KaakeAaron CampbellN/AN/A
January 1918William J. WellsArthur McCutcheonEdward J. Kaake†John L. Dolson†Thomas McMurchy†N/AN/A
January 1919William J. WellsArthur McCutcheon†Thomas McMurchyJohn L. DolsonEdward J. KaakeN/AN/A
January 1920Arthur McCutcheonThomas McMurchyJohn A. WilkieE. Milton LeggeWesley H. WallsN/AN/A
January 1921Arthur McCutcheon†John L. DolsonE. Milton LeggeJohn A. WilkieWesley H. WallsN/AN/A
January 1922Alexander McMurchyLeslie WellsFrank A. EganCalvin DoanJohn J. EdwardsN/AN/A
January 1923Alexander McMurchyE. Milton LeggeThomas McMurchyJoseph DugganFrank A. EganN/AN/A
January 1924Alexander McMurchyE. Milton LeggeThomas McMurchyJoseph DugganA.B. WellsN/AN/A
January 1926Alexander McMurchyThomas McMurchyJoseph Duggan†Elton A. ArmstrongFrank A. EganN/AN/A
January 1927Alexander McMurchyThomas McMurchy†Joseph Duggan†Elton A. ArmstrongFrank A. EganN/AN/A
January 1928E. Milton LeggeElton A. ArmstrongFrank A. EganNorman D. McMurchyJ.P. JeffersonN/AN/A
January 1931E. Milton LeggeNorman D. McMurchyJ.P. JeffersonGeoffrey J. FoxCameron E. WalkingtonN/AN/A
YearReeveDeputy ReeveCouncillorCouncillorCouncillorCouncillorCouncillor
1933Norman D. MacMurchyJ.P. JeffersonJohn S. LawsonThomas MacMurchyGeoffrey J. FoxN/AN/A
1935Norman D. MacMurchyJ.P. JeffersonLorne B. GoodfellowJohn S. LawsonGeoffrey J. FoxN/AN/A
1936J.P. JeffersonJohn S. LawsonLorne B. GoodfellowThomas McMurchyCameron E. WalkingtonN/AN/A
1937J.P. JeffersonCameron E. WalkingtonThomas McMurchyLorne B. GoodfellowE. Milton LeggeN/AN/A
1938J.P. JeffersonBurnel GrahamN/AN/A
1938Burnel GrahamN/AN/A
1939Thomas McMurchyBurnel GrahamWilliam E. BarkerN/AN/A
December 1940Thomas McMurchyLorne B. GoodfellowCameron WalkingtonE. Milton LeggeWilliam E. BarkerVictor MarchantN/A,
1949Elton ArmstrongT. Arthur McCutcheonN/AN/A
1950Elton ArmstrongT. Arthur McCutcheonN/AN/A
1951Elton ArmstrongT. Arthur McCutcheonRussell SnyderN/AN/A
December 1952Elton Armstrong†William HodgsonWilfred AitchisonDouglas WellesleyWilliam KehoeN/AN/A
December 1953 Elton Armstrong†William Hodgson†Wilfred Aitchison†William Kehoe†Douglas Wellesley†N/AN/A
December 1954Elton Armstrong†William HodgsonWilfred AitchisonWilliam KehoeRaymond JenningsN/AN/A
December 1955William HodgsonWilfred AitchisonRaymond JenningsDouglas WellesleyDouglas HutchinsN/AN/A
1956William HodgsonN/AN/A
1957William HodgsonN/AN/A
1958William HodgsonN/AN/A
1959William HodgsonNorman D. MacMurchyJack C. RoubleBlyth J. LangdonGordon CookN/AN/A
1960William HodgsonGordon CookN/AN/A
1961William HodgsonNorman D. MacMurchyGordon CookJack C. RoubleWilliam CurranN/AN/A
1962Raymond JenningsGordon CookWilliam CurranKenneth MacTaggartJack C. RoubleN/AN/A
1965Gordon CookN/AN/A
1967Gordon Cook†Kenneth MacTaggartErnest F. CrosslandCyril FlindersGordon RoweN/AN/A
1969Gordon Cook†Kenneth MacTaggartMargaret BritnellN/AN/A
YearMayorCouncillorCouncillorCouncillorCouncillorCouncillorCouncillor
1971Kenneth MactaggartDonald FindlayLen OsinBen RoughMurray SheardownJack van LyukRoy Wilson
1972Margaret Britnell
1976Margaret Britnell
1978Margaret Britnell
1980
1982
YearMayorWard 1Ward 2Ward 3Ward 4Ward 5Ward 6
1985Margaret Britnell
1988Margaret Britnell
1991Margaret BritnellMargaret Black
1994Margaret BlackLinda PabstMargaret Britnell
1997Margaret BlackLinda Pabst
2000Margaret BlackSteve PellegriniLinda Pabst
2003Margaret BlackSteve PellegriniLinda Pabst
2006Margaret BlackCleve MortellitiJeff LaidlawLinda PabstBill CoberJane UnderhillJack Rupke
2010Steve PellegriniCleve Mortelliti†Peter GrandilliLinda PabstBill CoberDebbie SchaeferAvia Eek
2014Steve Pellegrini†Cleve Mortelliti†Dave BoydLinda PabstBill CoberDebbie SchaeferAvia Eek
2018Steve Pellegrini†Jordan CescoliniDavid BoydJakob SchneiderBill CoberDebbie SchaeferAvia Eek

Voter turnout was 45% for the 2010 election and 33% for the 2014 election.
For the 2014 municipal elections, the mayor Steve Pellegrini and ward 1 councillor Cleve Mortelliti are acclaimed.

School board trustees

School board trustees are elected for four school boards operating in King. An elector may cast a ballot for a candidate trustee for one of those school boards, determined by the "Direction of School Support" associated with the elector's municipal property tax statement per Section 6 of the provincial Assessment Act. Public school trustees represent the York Region District School Board or the French immersion board Conseil Scolaire Viamonde. Separate public school trustees represent the York Catholic District School Board or the French immersion Conseil scolaire de district catholique Centre-Sud.
The elected trustee of the YRDSB represents all wards in King and Aurora. The schools represented in King by this trustee are King City Secondary School, King City Public School, Kettleby Public School, Nobleton Public School, and Schomberg Public School.
The elected trustee of the YCDSB represents all wards in King, Aurora, and Whitchurch–Stouffville. The schools represented in King by this trustee are Holy Name Catholic Elementary School in King City, St. Mary Catholic Elementary School in Nobleton, and St. Patrick Catholic Elementary School in Schomberg.
Gord Kerr was elected as the trustee for the YRDSB in 2010. He resigned from office in 2012, and was replaced by Peter Adams-Luchowki.

Municipal office

In 1952, the township's municipal office was located in Nobleton. In 1956, council purchased land west of Highway 400 on which to construct a municipal office building.
The Township offices were moved to the King City Plaza, a strip mall purchased by the municipal government in the 1990s which also has several business tenants. In 2013, the township purchased the disused former Holy Name Catholic Elementary School building and adjacent of land from the York Catholic District School Board for $2.95 million. In 2016, township planning staff announced that the school building would be redesigned for use as office space for the township, for community and non-profit groups, and to house a satellite office for the York Regional Police. In May 2016, the Police Services Board of York Regional Police approved the King City substation and announced that a 20-year lease would be executed for use of about of space in the building.
The school building was demolished during mid 2016. In June 2016, township staff announced the construction of a structure on the site at a cost of about $15 million, updated to and $21.5 million in late 2016. Of that cost, $13.1 million was for construction, and the remainder for associated charges, including moving municipal staff from the previous offices. It includes a public-use gymnasium. The capital project was partially financed by selling the strip mall for $10.75 million, with the remainder obtained from a $4 million debenture, $4.5 million from the infrastructure reserve fund, $1.5 million from development charges, and a $1 million capital contribution from the Regional Municipality of York. The facility has a geothermal heat pump system, and charging stations for electric vehicles.
In December 2018, the new municipal building was opened for the inaugural session of a new council following the 2018 municipal elections. The preceding council had approved the $40,000 purchase of Steel Gorgeous, an iron horse sculpture created by Kendall McCulloch, for installation at the municipal office. The sculpture had been lent by the artist to Caledon Equestrian Park in Palgrave for the equestrian events during the 2015 Pan American Games.