Nova Scotia municipalities agree to work out expense policy

The province and the Union of Nova Scotia Municipalities have signed an agreement to work on nine priorities, including standardized expense policies.

Municipal Affairs Minister Zack Churchill signed the agreement on Thursday in Halifax at the annual Union of Nova Scotia Municipality meeting, "so we can get that shadow of a doubt off our shoulders and have a standardized system of accountability and transparency from one end of the province to another," he said.

Spending problems

A few municipalities post the expenses of elected officials online but most do not. A few communities still pay for alcohol and the amount paid for mileage varies widely.

The provincial ombudsman has investigated questionable spending and financial oversight of Richmond County, and is currently looking into the expenses of officials in Guysborough.

The past president of the UNSM, Cecil Clarke, who is also the Mayor of the Cape Breton Regional Municipality, said he hopes standardized expense policies, such as online posting, will be ready by April 2017.

"A system in place applicable for every municipality, for every person elected or worker," Clarke said. "So on a quarterly basis that information is loaded and available."

Municipal AG considered

The ombudsman also has recommended hiring a municipal auditor general. But not everyone thinks that is a good idea. Yarmouth Mayor Pam Mood, for instance, thinks it's unnecessary.

"I'm not sold on that piece," she said.

"It doesn't mean we can't have checkpoints along the way, clear policies where everything is standard."

Even those who agree with the idea of a municipal auditor general aren't sure how municipalities would be able to pay for the position.

The other priorities include providing support for planning, like minimal standards, reviewing fire services and municipal governance rules, as well as sharing research and meeting on a regular basis.

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