A refusal by to reappoint Toronto’s first ombudsman, Fiona Crean, to another term would be a blow for independent oversight, some city councillors are warning. But that’s a view not shared by others, who say it’s time for someone new.

“She’s grown the office, developed the office, we’ve all learned about its strengths and weaknesses, and it is time for renewal,” said Councillor James Pasternak.

“Public service is notorious for not renewing some of our personnel. This is an opportunity to do that.”

This week, city council is to debate whether Crean, appointed in 2008, should be given an additional five-year term. Any vote to extend her term would require two-thirds of council’s approval — 30 votes — to pass.

It is by no means a slam dunk, which worries councillors who would like Crean to stick around.

“I think it sends a very bad message if we don’t extend the appointment of someone who’s been very diligent and tough and come down on a number of practices that needed to be come down on,” Councillor John Filion said Friday.

Councillor Shelley Carroll said she believes some members of council have taken some of Crean’s reports “personally” and are out to “exact some sort of retribution … because she stepped on a few toes and spoke truth to power.”

A 2012 investigation, for instance, exposed political interference with the civic appointments process and provoked an angry response from Mayor Rob Ford and some of his then-allies, such as Councillor Giorgio Mammoliti. Crean has also butted heads with some of council’s centrist voters.

“To me what’s more important is the impression we leave in the community about our commitment to having an ombudsman,” Carroll said. “You started an office, you give it a long time to build its culture into the city, and it’s best to do that with consistency and the current leadership.”

Pasternak rejects the suggestion that he or any councillor is looking for “payback.”

He does believe some of Crean’s reports have contained “unnecessarily harsh language” and “hyperbole” aimed at capturing headlines — not fixing problems.

“I don’t think there’s that vindictive strain in council,” he said. “I think there was some concern and consternation about phraseology, exhibitionism, some sensationalism, but at the same time she was very determined. She was very thorough.”

Pasternak cites as examples the title of some of her reports. In April, the ombudsman released Unrule(y) Behaviour: An Investigation into Toronto Community Housing Corporation’s Human Resources Policies and Practices. The report led to the resignation of TCHC CEO Eugene Jones.

Crean’s reappointment process is complicated.

Under the Municipal Act, an ombudsman is eligible to serve two five-year terms.

In 2012, when councillors couldn’t agree on whether to give Crean another five-year term, they struck a compromise by granting her a two-year extension, bringing her contract to a close on Nov. 16, 2015.

Pasternak says he thought the additional two years meant Crean would be out the door next year, after a term of seven and a half years.

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However, because of a “technical misunderstanding” relating to the wording of the motion, it appears Crean is still eligible for another five-year term, he explained.

In a prepared statement, Crean, who earned $232,322 last year, said it would not be appropriate to discuss her reappointment. “That is the prerogative of council members,” she said.