Council for the Town of South Bruce Peninsula has chosen to appoint the replacement for former mayor Garry Michi, who resigned due to scandal last month.
Council voted 3 to 1 in favour of appointing Michi's replacement at Tuesday's meeting, with Councillor Kathy Durst nominating Deputy Mayor Jay Kirkland. No other candidates were nominated, so Kirkland was acclaimed to the role.
Only Councillor Caleb Hull voted in favour of holding by-election.
Kirkland said he would accept the nomination thanks to the support system he had around him.
"We'll move forward one step at a time," he said. "We've got a great staff and that is one of the reasons that I am stepping up to be the mayor and appreciate being the mayor. I will do the best I can but I know I've got a great staff and council behind me."
The bylaw to appoint Kirkland to mayor will be placed on a future agenda.
If approved, council will next have to determine how to fill the vacancy at Deputy Mayor, by considering the same options.
A report by staff to council estimated "a by-election has a financial impact of approximately $40,000 (not including staff time) and would take three to four months to plan, prepare and run."