By Cecilia Nasmith/Today’s Northumberland
Sparks flew at Cobourg council Wednesday in the debate over an amendment Councillor Adam Bureau made in the interests of full disclosure.
In this first year of Strong Mayor Powers, where designated mayors are given full charge of setting the budget in whatever way they choose, Cobourg councillors have endeavoured to understand how Mayor Lucas Cleveland is going about the process. A notice of motion by Deputy Mayor Nicole Beatty brought to the table ideas she hoped would ensure avenues of citizen input, though it was eventually tabled for later discussion at a standing committee meeting.
Bureau’s amendment to the motion, however, would be narrowly voted down.
There were three provisions to Bureau’s motion.
One was to request a report on costs associated with Strong Mayor Powers since the provincial legislation establishing the concept came into effect since May 1.
He also requested a report on both the to-date cost and the final cost of the method Cleveland has chosen to help him prepare the budget – an advisory task force, as well as the unilateral hiring of a consultant to help formulate it.
Finally, he asked for a detailed summary of the activity on the mayor’s corporate credit card – what items have been charged and where – “since its activation.”
This last item took some of the councillors aback, as they had not been aware Cleveland has been provided with a credit card by the town. Treasurer Adam Giddings confirmed that a Visa card had been issued Nov. 25, 2022.
Cleveland asked both Beatty and Bureau if they had run their proposals past a lawyer before presenting them, but neither one had.
“All this is just open-and-transparency accounting for taxpayer dollars,” Bureau said.
“And since we are doing the budget, I think it would be prudent that we do this.”
“You have been on council seven years – why is it now you care about the mayor’s credit card?” Cleveland challenged.
“It has been seven years, and we have never, ever gone after the mayor’s expenses.
“I have nothing to hide – I am excited to share it, but it’s already all public information as part of our budget process.”
Councillor Miriam Mutton surmised he was referring to the annual report that comes to council on their remuneration and expenses.
Bureau said the timing was because he was waiting for the budget process to make these requests. With the Strong Mayor Powers limiting council’s participation in the process this year, “I just want to make sure it’s all included.”
“I personally don’t think a member of council should have a credit card,” Beatty added.
Councillor Randy Barber asked what process the mayor follows. Cleveland said that purchases are itemized on the bill sent monthly to the town. He submits receipts for legitimate expenses, though occasionally he realizes there’s an expense he should not have put on the card. In such a case, he would not provide a receipt and he would repay the town.
Mutton agreed with Beatty that a credit card is not warranted for this.
“I am on company business, and there’s always a limit. It’s all very strictly mandated by our regulations,” Cleveland replied.
“Again, everything is documented, everything is prescribed. These questions are starting to feel a little bit possessive. This is all legally mandated, folks.”
Mutton explained that councillors incur these expenses without the luxury of a credit card.
“We have to use our private assets in order to pay, and then we submit receipts for reimbursement – that’s different,” she insisted.
“No it’s not,” Cleveland retorted.
“We have to do all the same things you do with your personal card. Everything has to be submitted, everything has to be documented.”
He questioned the legality of asking for this information under Strong Mayor Powers legislation.
“OK, so vote against it,” Bureau said.
Mutton stated her belief that the underlying problem is the unknowns resulting in the Strong Mayor Powers imposed upon the town, speculating that many municipalities are facing similar struggles.
“In the interests of transparency and accountability, how can we optimize the system we have been given, this huge brand-new piece of legislation that impacts on how council functions,” she wondered.
“It’s Strong Mayor Powers, not Strong Council Powers,” Cleveland retorted.
“Council continues to try to optimize a system that was designed for the mayor.”
Mutton and Beatty reiterated their sense of responsibility to the taxpayer at a time when the budget is set by the mayor.
What’s needed, Cleveland declared, is another training session for council on the new Strong Mayor Powers, “because we can’t keep going back down this road.”
When the time came to vote on Bureau’s amendment, Beatty made the motion to separate the credit-card matter from the rest of the amendment.
On the question of costings for Strong Mayor initiatives, as well as the budget task force, Cleveland requested a recorded vote. He was joined in voting against it by Barber and Councillor Brian Darling. In the absence of Councillor Aaron Burchat, that left three votes on the “for” side. In the event of a tie vote, a motion is defeated – as this one was.
Just before the credit-card matter went to a vote, Bureau withdrew it.
