TEHKUMMAH—Officials from the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing delivered a delegation to Tehkummah during the July 29 municipal council meeting, a response to a community petition calling for an investigation into the town’s finances by the ministry.
Reeve Eric Russell opened the Tehkummah municipal council meeting with a prayer, following which Councillor Paul Bowerman requested that all motion votes be recorded.
The minutes of the previous meeting were questioned by Councillor Bowerman, who maintained that the minutes did not reflect items that “had been pulled off the agenda.”
Clerk-treasurer Karen Gerrard noted that the only questions that could be resolved in passing the minutes was whether there was an error or omission in the record. “We can’t revisit, only speak to what is in the minutes,” she advised. The minutes were passed.
The first order of business for the council was a delegation by Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing officials on behalf of Minister Bill Mauro, responding to a petition by local citizens to the minister requesting an audit of the town’s finances be conducted by the ministry.
The minister had responded by letter dated June 5, citing the petition of February 1 that had requested a “provincial municipal audit of the financial and administrative affairs of the Township of Tehkummah.”
“After careful consideration, I am satisfied that the issues raised within the petition are local matters, and that there is insufficient evidence to support a provincial-municipal audit,” wrote the minister.
The minister had gone on to notify council that “in order to fully address the concerns raised by petitioners, I have directed ministry staff to undertake a review of the financial and administrative practices, policies and procedures of the township and to report back on any recommendations for improvements to municipal accountability, openness and transparency, and financial management. This report will be made available to council and the public once completed.”
Reeve Russell advised those in attendance at the start that the delegation would only be taking questions from members of the council.
The ministry officials introduced to council were Kathy Horgan, manager Local Government and Housing, and Paul Prosperi, municipal adviser from the ministry’s northeastern municipal service office in Sudbury, to council.
“By now council will have read the letter from the minister,” said Ms. Horgan. “I am here to talk about going forward.” Ms. Horgan reiterated what the minister had said in his letter, noting that the ministry “is committed to working with the township.”
Councillor Laird Lee inquired as to what request had been made to the ministry “and by who?”
Ms. Horgan noted the ministry staff had conducted preliminary interviews of Tehkummah staff, a councillor and the lead petitioner listed on the petition sent to the minister.
“I wasn’t questioned,” interjected Reeve Russell. “Why wouldn’t I be questioned?”
“We also interviewed your municipal auditor,” continued Ms. Horgan.
“When this comes to council, will this be a public document?” asked Councillor Bowerman. “Can I be interviewed?”
Ms. Horgan responded “yes.”
Councillor Laurie Leeson interjected noting that not all of the councillors were interviewed, noting that introduced bias.
Ms. Horgan pointed out that the ministry officials would be looking at “where we can help,” going on to note that the report back to the municipality would also highlight those things the council is doing right. “If things are working well, we will tell you that,” she said.
Councillor Lee again said that all members of council were not interviewed in the preliminary inquiries. “We should be operating as a council,” he said. “As a whole, otherwise it could be biased.”
“Point taken,” responded Ms. Horgan. “We will make sure we have a conversation with every councillor.” She asked the council to indicate “any policy you think we should look at.”
Ms. Horgan noted that it would be Mr. Prosperi that would be the primary point of contact.
She went on to note that the review would go beyond simply looking at policies on to how those policies were being implemented. “That implementation could be different from what you intend.”
The ministry officials were to return to the municipality on July 31 for a week, unless more time is necessary to complete the work. The final report would be coming to council about four to six months following the policy and procedures review.
“Paul will be lead,” Ms. Horgan reaffirmed. “Thank you in advance for your cooperation. We are here to help. If there is a policy that you think we should look at by all means let us know.” The goal, she noted, is government working in an “open, transparent and efficient manner.”
Reeve Russell asked if the interviews would be face to face, or conducted through a phone call. He then went on to reiterate that he didn’t understand why everybody had not been interviewed.
Ms. Horgan pointed out that the initial interviews were very preliminary and that it had concluded that there was no need for an audit.
Reeve Russell asked for Ms. Horgan’s telephone number, at which point both she and Mr. Prosperi handed out their business cards.
Councillor Bowerman asked Ms. Horgan what the procedure was to bring documentation to the ministry. “Talk to Paul,” she said. “Karen (Gerrard) can provide the documents to get the policy.”
Ms. Horgan reiterated that the ministry was there to assist the township.
Councillor Bowerman asked what hours the ministry staff would be working when they came to the municipality. “From 10 in the morning,” replied Ms. Horgan. “During business hours, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and possibly Friday.”
