VIDEO: Candidate wants to change how Kelowna City Council operates

Tom Macauley doesn't just want a job as a city councillor.

He wants to change the job itself.

Re-establishing a committee system is Macauley's top priority.

"Where we have focus groups that include experts, members of council and also staff members from the City of Kelowna that really will look directly at certain issues," he explained.

He said that way our elected officials can be more directly involved in finding solutions.

Macauley would also like to see a referendum on the setting of term limits for council members.

"It could be two or three terms at a time that a councillor can serve," he suggested. "This is really to bring some fresh voices and make the elections more competitive when it comes to incumbency."

Macauley who was president of the UBCO Student Union, would also like to see a ward system for elections.

"I think Kelowna could look at something kind of like what they have in Lake Country," he said, "which would be a hybrid ward system."

He would like to see three or four council seats representing residents of neighbourhoods such as Glenmore and Rutland.

"I think it would focus those councillors on the issues for those neighbourhoods," explained Macauley.

One specific concern he raises is the less-than-ideal home for Central Okanagan Search and Rescue near the airport.

"It's terrible," Macauley said. "The building was deemed not fit for a fire department. Their bathroom is their file cabinet essentially. They also have no clean drinking water on site."

Macauley is the parent of a toddler and at 30, he's younger than any of the incumbent councillors.

"I think that younger perspective would be really fresh and be helpful on council," he said.

To check out all of the candidates, visit KelownaVotes 2022.

Election day is October 15.