Huntsville town council has passed a motion asking the province to immediately dismiss Muskoka Algonquin Healthcare's board of directors.

The motion passed after a lengthy presentation from hospital officials on Monday night, who reinforced that a decision has not been made on the two-site and single-site options.

"Council has expressed a lack of confidence in MAHC's ability to lead and partner with us and to effectively go to the province on a funding formula that we think is unfair to small town Ontario," says Huntsville Mayor Scott.

The motion was first tabled by Aitchison last month. It came out of frustration over the board of directors’ consideration of a new single-site hospital replacing the current hospitals in Bracebridge and Huntsville.

"We're looking for a board who will stand up to the province and say we can't cut anymore and to work with us,” he said on Monday night.

Bob Stone was the only councillor against the motion, saying “this could be more disruptive and more harmful to the process.”

He added, “I think working collectively we can achieve more."

Aitchison had expressed frustration that hospital officials were not listening to residents’ concerns. He also questioned whether they had done enough to secure more money from the province.

Hospital officials insisted they were ready to work together with the towns to demand a meeting with the province.

"I did hope that our appeal to working together would strengthen their resolve to work with us," said Evelyn Brown, the hospital’s board chair.

Bracebridge Mayor Graydon Smith says he's disappointed, adding “while I understand that this is an emotional issue for citizens throughout the catchment area, we must continue to take a collaborative approach to solving the complex issues surrounding our hospital.”

The minister of health could assign an investigator or tell the town and hospital officials to get together and work out their differences.

In the meantime, a task force is expected to make a recommendation on the possible models in the coming months.