Anyone who follows politics closely probably knows of the time-honoured practice of releasing reports on the Friday before a holiday break or long weekend. I suppose it's still tried because it sometimes works. A cynical person might think that this weeks
Communications Agenda is one such case. Good thing I'm not cynical.
(although not the subject of this blog, the 6 new applications from Boardwalk REIT for condo conversions are interesting to note)
On this week's Communication Agenda we find a report on Ward Funds. This is the first report on these funds since
August 2005, the date of the last report to Council.
Anyone wondering why an incumbent Windsor City Councillor is hard to beat in an election should really take a close look at the report. I've cut out the particular report from the Communications agenda so that readers don't have to wade through everything.
Ward Fund Report (.pdf)
Let me say at the outset that I'm not alleging that anything illegal or unethical is happening with these funds, simply that they should not exist. They are nothing more than Ward Piggy Banks to be doled out at the Councillors discretion. There is little transparency in these funds and virtually no accountability. Where is the criteria and application process for these funds? How is the existence of these funds advertised to residents in the various wards? How do Councillors in each individual ward decide the winners of each year's allocation - flip a coin, draw numbers or throw a few darts?
I'm sure CUPE Local 543 President Mark McArthur would be interested to learn of the application process after his request for matching funds from Council for Brentwood was turned down.
The majority of the expenditures listed are arguably for worthwhile causes, although one exception in my mind is the $5,600.00 spent by Ward 2 Councillors Jones and Postma in 2005. "Flyers and Postage for Ward 2 Mailings to keep residents updated on Ward issues" Quite frankly, I get enough of this self-serving crap from my MP and MPP, I certainly don't need more from my Councillors. I don't have a bird cage or litter box so it all goes directly from the mailbox to the recycling bin.
The criteria for spending these funds is woefully inadequate:
Ward Fund Policy
On May 2, 2005, Council rescinded CR272/2004 and approved the following policy:
* Ward Councillors are authorized to spend ward funds at their discretion within their own wards;
* Notice of the use of ward funds including details of how the monies are spent must be reported on a public agenda, but Council approval is not required;
*If the two Ward Councillors cannot agree on the use of their ward fund, no monies will be expended;
* Monies must be spent on identifiable projects or undertakings having a specific purpose and objective.
Based on the above policy, where a proposed expenditure meets the above criteria, the funding shall be issued in accordance with normal City procedures.
The annual allocation to the Ward Fund was $40,000 per Ward through 2005. In 2006 the total amount was reduced to $30,000 per Ward and further reduced to $27,000 per Ward in 2007
Not mentioned in the above is the fact that unspent monies rollover to the following year. A handy thing leading up to an election year. A further amendment was passed in 2006 to address what happens when Councillors can't agree on how the funds are to be spent:
Moved by Councillor Zuk, seconded by Councillor Lewenza,
M106-2006 That the Ward Fund policy (M73-2005) BE AMENDED to include a provision that in the event that the respective ward councillors cannot agree on the use of their ward fund, that the funds be split 50-50, and to be used at their own discretion, and that the details of how the monies are spent continue to be reported on a public agenda.
Carried.
The chart below summarizes the spending. Interesting to note that not a single ward spent only the minimum of $30,000 in 2006 leading up to the election.
(click on picture for full size)
So not only does Windsor feed it's Councillors well (
Food for thought,
Windsor Council Essex County's Gastronomical Winners,
Eat hearty, it's only tax money) , it gives them a nice allowance of $15,000 to spend as they see fit.
Ward Funds should be abolished. People wishing to receive funds should be required to appear before Council as anyone else. Councillors wishing to spend funds should have to justify their decisions in an open public meeting.
