A committee of Halifax council has urged for a strategy to enhance financial transparency in the mayor’s office and the wider municipality following an audit that raised concerns about $111,000 in Mayor Andy Fillmore’s expenses. The finance committee made the decision on Wednesday to have the chief administrative officer create corrective actions after the audit revealed four transactions processed by Fillmore’s office did not adhere to municipal policies. This audit led the regional auditor general to involve the RCMP.
Fillmore refrained from participating in the committee’s dialogue on Wednesday, citing potential conflict of interest. Nonetheless, the approved motion, inclusive of amendments proposed by the mayor, expanded the plan’s scope to encompass not only his office but the entire municipality. In a statement released on Wednesday, Fillmore acknowledged the auditor general’s findings and emphasized the importance of comprehensive accountability measures.
The proposed plan is anticipated to be presented to the council within two months. Councilor Sam Austin expressed hope that the plan would reassess a previous decision by the municipality’s former chief administrative officer to grant the mayor’s office greater autonomy. The auditor general, Andrew Atherton, explained to the committee in June that he involved the RCMP after the audit as he felt the situation was beyond his expertise to determine legality.
Regarding the mayor’s expenses, Fillmore highlighted that he and his team had received additional training on procurement procedures. He clarified that the transactions in question underwent an approval process involving senior officials. The primary expense was incurred last year when the mayor’s office hired a human resources consultant, resulting in a bill of $90,000 instead of the anticipated $50,000. Atherton found that this contract was negotiated directly with the consultant without the required competitive bids. The other three expenses, including hiring a speechwriter and external legal services, also did not follow the municipality’s procurement rules.
Fillmore mentioned that he personally reimbursed the legal expenses, stressing they were not personal in nature. The mayor emphasized the importance of identifying weaknesses, rectifying them, and preventing similar occurrences in the future.
The reform plan is seen as a step towards enhancing accountability and transparency across the municipality, aiming to address the issues raised by the audit and ensure adherence to proper procedures moving forward.
