Cobourg Mayor Lucas Cleveland has handed over nearly all of the Strong Mayor Powers he is legally allowed to delegate, just one day after filing to seek another term.
The change took effect at 5 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 11.
The delegated powers will now go to Cobourg’s chief administrative officer and council.
Cleveland did not provide a reason for the decision.
He has previously used Strong Mayor Powers in areas including the town’s organizational structure, senior staffing decisions and the 2026 budget process.
Not every Strong Mayor Power can legally be transferred, meaning Cleveland will continue to hold some authority under the provincial legislation.
The timing is likely to draw attention as Cobourg heads deeper into the 2026 municipal election campaign.
Cleveland filed his nomination papers Monday as he seeks a second term as mayor.
He was first elected in 2022, defeating then-mayor John Henderson by just 105 votes.
The latest move changes how some key decisions will be handled at town hall and puts more authority back in the hands of council and senior administration.
Cobourg voters will now have another major issue to consider as the municipal race begins to take shape.
