Budget breach apology at council
FORMER councillor Paul Jacob has issued a formal apology for releasing confidential Townsville City Council information and flagged he wanted to return to local government.
In May 2019 Mr Jacob, who served in the last term of council, released confidential budget information about a footpath in Mount Low.
The former councillor issued the formal apology at Wednesday’s full council meeting. The apology was part of the ruling handed down by the Office of the independent Assessor. Mr Jacob was also fined $250.
Mr Jacob said while he believed he released the information “for a good cause”, it did not excuse that he broke the rules. “I do believe in the institution of local government and the checks and balances local government must use to keep councillors in check,” Mr Jacob said.
“Because, as you know, in Queensland we’ve had quite a few councils with this sort of thing occurring.”
Mr Jacob added he intended to move back into local government in the future.
He said rebuilding the trust of the community would be his next challenge.
“I let the public down in what I did, even though I believe I did it for a good cause,” Mr Jacob said.
“I’m not going to use that as an excuse … I’ve got to build the trust with the community again.”