Region council approves amended expense policy

Despite the concerns of several regional councillors, amendments to Niagara’s councillor expense policy were approved Thursday night.

The amendments, made at the previous corporate services committee meeting, include making legal costs related to code of conduct complaints eligible expenses, and increasing the daily allowance for councillors attending overnight conferences to $ 85 ( up from $ 65).

There will, however, still be opportunities to further refine the policy in the months to come.

While the amendment regarding legal expenses was based on concerns about frivolous and vexatious complaints, Pelham Mayor Dave Augustyn pointed out that the integrity commissioner does not investigate such complaints.

“So why are we thinking there might be expenses related to that?” he asked. “Should we pay for a defence if a councillor is found to be contravening the code? That needs to be nuanced. I think that’s an important issue.”

Instead of incurring legal costs associated with frivolous code of conduct allegations in the first place, Welland Coun. Paul Grenier said the Region needs to “find a better way to be more of a gatekeeper” regarding referrals of complaints to the integrity commissioner.

Grenier was also concerned about excessive mileage claims, and suggested capping it at 1,000 km.

Fort Erie Mayor Wayne Redekop wanted changes to part of the policy regarding reimbursing councillors for souvenirs and promotional material provided to constituents.

Welland Coun. George Marshall said the policy leaves too much open to interpretation, particularly regarding what constitutes being on regional business.

“Certainly, I have some concerns about what people call regional business or mileage. It’s not how I would do it, but nevertheless, I can’t say I’m right and they’re wrong,” he said.

And St. Catharines Mayor Walter Sendzik was concerned that the policy would permit councillors to be reimbursed for the purchase of alcoholic beverages, if it’s purchased “as a matter of hospitality for protocol while conducting regional business.”

Chief administrative officer Carmen D’Angelo said alcohol is only a permitted expense if it is preapproved on certain occasions, such as meeting with foreign delegations.

“It’s not that if you’re having a dinner and choose to purchase alcohol,” he said.

Unless the alcohol is local wine being purchased as a gift, Sendzik said it should not be an eligible expense.

“I don’t think we should be covering this at all,” Sendzik said.

D’Angelo said regional staff will have completed the research needed to publish council expenses by Dec. 9, and would be posting the information on the region’s website before the end of the year.

Augustyn said councillors can individually provide their own expenses to the public on a monthly basis, if they choose to do so.

Councillors voted 23- 2 in favour of the amended policy.