UPDATE: The motion passed (7-2) not in favour Councillors West and Cilevitz. The updated Member of Council Expense Policy is now in effect.
At the upcoming Richmond Hill Council Meeting on Wednesday February 26th staff is bringing forward for approval an updated Member of Council Expense Policy.
According to the staff report providing an update on the Members of Council Expense Policy reflect the overall use and wise management of resources but also touches on the other goals in the Strategic Plan: a) Stronger connections in Richmond Hill to improve access to local information and services; and b) Wise management of resources in Richmond Hill to serve as a role model for municipal management.
Per staff’s report the current policy provides clear guidelines of eligible and ineligible expenses pertaining to expenditure areas required to administer their offices as Members of Council.
With this “update” the Council Expense policy will be decimated removing almost all measures of oversight, transparency and accountability.
Reference: Current Member of Council Expense Policy
It will be replaced by a Member of Council Expense policy that would allow Council members to spend thousands of Richmond Hill taxpayers money with little to no oversight or accountability. Below are some of the additions in the updated policy.
Reference: Updated Member of Council Expense Policy
Staff Report: https://pub-richmondhill.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=30712
Current Member of Council Expense Policy: https://pub-richmondhill.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=30713
Updated Member of Council Expense Policy: https://pub-richmondhill.escribemeetings.com/filestream.ashx?DocumentId=30714