People wonder if civil servants are spending appropriately. Are they dipping into the public purse or spending their own dime. Just as importantly, citizens want to know how their money is being spent: TRANSPARENCY vs TRANSGRESSION.
[COMMENTARY that is anonymous will not be published and all commenting authors will be identified unless specifically requesting otherwise.]
POINT
Susan Cassel,
[City Clerk, Legislative Services]
As you are aware we are almost at the end of 3 months into 2024. When I go onto the Pickering.ca site, link provided below, to view the Council expense reports I note that for the year 2024 there are no, O, Council expense reports. I have been writing and discussing this issue for over 2 years and I have heard all sorts of reasons why residents are not able to view Council expense reports 30 days after submission. To make sure this is fully understood it was common practice prior to this issue of Council expense reports to be able to view January’s expense reports 1 month (30 days) after submission. This would mean that residents could view January’s expense reports at the end of February and February expense reports could be viewed at the end of March. The end of March is quickly approaching and residents have no reports to review at all for the year 2024. This issue has been going on for over 2 years and is not acceptable and certainly not a timely reporting of information that residents should be able to view on a regular basis.
https://www.pickering.ca/en/city-hall/CouncilExpenses.aspx
Mike Borie
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COUNTERPOINT
Good Afternoon Mr. Borie,
Thank you for your email and your patience in awaiting my reply as I was out of the office for a few days last week.
You and I have had several emails on this matter over the past 2 years and I can appreciate that you would like to see the reports posted sooner than they are. That said, as I have explained in the past, the City’s obligations to report on Council expenses and remuneration is under Section 284(1) of the Municipal Act and under the Act, this annual reporting much be done by March 31st. This was recently fulfilled through an annual report from the Treasurer which was included on the March 25, 2024 Council agenda. That report cannot be compiled until the prior year’s financial reconciliation has been completed which is why it is not required to be available until March of the following year under the Municipal Act.
Similarly, each month’s expenses also have to be reconciled. With the work undertaken to wrap up the financial reporting for 2023, it is inevitable that the first quarter expenses have been slightly delayed. As previously communicated, the posting on the City’s Council Expense webpage is above and beyond the requirements of the Municipal Act. Under the City’s Council Compensation Policy, it states that “expenses are prepared on a monthly basis for each Member of Council and publicly disclosed on the City’s website as soon as practically possible.” The Policy further states that the public’s right to Council expense information must allow for proper accounting and reconciliation of expenses. It is of the utmost importance that what is posted on the Council expenses webpage is accurate. In order for this to occur, the checks and balances in place may take longer than what you may expect.
The City will continue to post the Council expense information in as timely a manner as possible. We appreciate your understanding in this regard.
Thank you,
Susan Cassel
City Clerk
Legislative Services
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COMMENTARY
City Clerk Susan Cassel,Thank you for your very comprehensible and logical explanation regarding publication of Councillor expenditures. I don’t speak for M. Borie, but I feel he was coming from a positive intent rather than being critical of your work regarding financial reporting. Today’s citizens live in spurious and troubling times and they want to be assured that where their money is concerned, things are being done right. I think it is merely questioning transparency rather than criticism of your reporting.I too push and prod the City for more transparency in the work it does. My prodding does not imply that there is any disorder or misuse of public funds. I am merely looking for explanations to give me the feeling the City council is working for the benefit of the city rather any individual’s gain. For example, I have been very critical of the City’s near $1 million dollar budget allocation for the City website modification. This is not the place to argue that point, but research and experience suggest this is an outlandish expenditure. Hence, I look for transparency and explanation.I believe Mr. Borie is working with the same intent. As a citizen interested and involved with the City, he is not making accusations but looking for clarification and transparency.I am certain he regards your work as being conscientious, professional and optimum.Richard Szpin
