Frontenac County – The members of Frontenac County Council elected Township of Frontenac Islands Deputy Mayor Bill Saunders as 2026 Frontenac County Warden, November 19.
“My commitment is to do my part to ensure Council and staff work collaboratively in addressing the pressing issues of the day while setting the direction for the County’s future growth and success,” says Warden Saunders. “I want to thank past Wardens Smith, Vandewal, and Lichty for setting the standard for me to follow.”
Saunders served as Deputy Warden of Frontenac County in 2025. He was elected Deputy Mayor of the Township of Frontenac Islands in 2022. He sits on the Leeds County OPP Detachment Board, and the Food Policy Council for Kingston Frontenac Lennox and Addington. He served previously as CEO of the Belleville and District Chamber of Commerce, and Executive Director of Volunteer and Information Quinte.
Also elected is Township of South Frontenac Mayor Ron Vandewal as 2026 Frontenac County Deputy Warden. Vandewal served previously as County Warden in 2023, 2021, and 2017.
County Wardens and Deputy Wardens are elected by Frontenac County Council each November for a one-year term. The Warden acts as Chief Executive Officer for the County, presides over Council meetings, provides leadership to Council, and represents the County at official functions and to the public. Warden, Deputy Warden, and Councillors each hold one vote on Council except for the Mayor of South Frontenac who holds two.
Frontenac County Council is elected for a four-year term, currently through 2026. It is comprised of eight members including Mayor and one additional Councillor from each of the Townships of North Frontenac, Central Frontenac, South Frontenac, and Frontenac Islands.
Frontenac County Council is made up of Warden Bill Saunders (Township of Frontenac Islands), Deputy Warden Ron Vandewal (Township of South Frontenac), Councillor Fred Fowler (Township of North Frontenac), Councillor Nicki Gowdy (Township of Central Frontenac), Councillor Judy Greenwood-Speers (Township of Frontenac Islands), Councillor Ray Leonard (Township of South Frontenac), Councillor Gerry Lichty (Township of North Frontenac), Councillor Frances Smith (Township of Central Frontenac).
