The city has mapped out what its first citizens' jury will look like -- including its $95,000 price tag.

Yesterday, council members approved a process to choose which Hamilton residents will be part of the high-profile committee to debate area rating, the city's controversial tax system.

The citizens' jury will be made up of 15 people, one from each of the city's wards. The jury members, as well as five "spares," will be chosen by an independent steering committee made up of city staff, consultants and community residents.

However, the jury format sounded too familiar to several city councillors yesterday. Some argued the jury would duplicate council's role -- especially since council isn't bound to enact any of the jury's recommendations.

"We're elected representatives, and yet we're going to go out into the city to find 15 people to do our jobs," said Councillor Scott Duvall.

"Why can't we do that? What's wrong with us?," said Councillor Bernie Morelli.

Councillor Bob Bratina said the citizens' jury will be no different from the city's other 31 volunteer committees.

"Now we've got 32. So what?" he said, adding council members "have not been exemplary" in handling the issue and could benefit from some detached advice.

To select the jury members, the city will randomly pick 2,000 names from the tax roster, then send letters to those households asking them to participate. The city thinks about 200 people will respond.

The steering committee will then interview a shortlist of candidates and whittle down the list to the final 20 members.

The majority of the $95,000 price tag will go towards hiring consultants to facilitate the process. Other costs include expense compensation for volunteers, meeting space and refreshments. The jury members will not be paid.

Yesterday's vote continued a debate that has plagued council since amalgamation in 2001. Each former municipality has been taxed differently based on the recreation, transit and fire services they received at amalgamation.

However, the system has been criticized because it taxes Hamiltonians on where they live, not what services they now use. Some areas are now getting service they are not paying for.

The jury will report back to council on Nov. 30 of this year, a month after the municipal election.

ereilly@thespec.com

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