The District of Squamish has enacted a policy intended to add more transparency to staff's actions, as bureaucrats have been delegated increased powers.
On Feb. 2, council voted unanimously in favour of the transparency policy, and later adopted a set of bylaws that will delegate significantly more power to municipal bureaucrats. Coun. Doug Race did not vote, as he was absent.
"If we're increasing delegation, then we need to increase reporting or match it with the appropriate reporting and transparency measures for the community, and I'm satisfied that this policy helps us get there, while also creating more efficiency," said Mayor Karen Elliott.
Back in December, council passed three readings on a set of bylaws intended to delegate more power to municipal staff. Under these bylaws, bureaucrats will have significantly expanded abilities to issue tenders, handle operating agreements and approve development permits.
The bylaws are intended to allow staff to take over more of elected officials' work so politicians are free to focus on matters they deem more important.
Under previous rules, certain types of tenders, temporary use permits and development permits would have to go before council at a public meeting.
For example, previously, costly tenders would have to go before council, but under the new bylaw, the chief administrative officer, or CAO, has "unlimited authorization" to issue tenders or request for proposal awards, so long as it doesn't go over the limits set out in the budget.
Pricey items, like the $1.01 million assigned to Kinetic Construction for the Valleycliffe firehall last year, will not need to be approved by council under the new rules.
This means the public will not be able to see in real-time the debate and reasoning that goes into making those decisions.
As a result, in December, council directed staff to create a reporting policy that would show the results of their decisions, so they could be held accountable.
Tuesday night, Robyn Arthurs, the municipal general manager of corporate services, presented this transparency policy.
It outlined several requirements for reporting.
This included a promise to issue a quarterly report outlining spending by cost centre compared with the budget and the prior year, among other things.
The policy also stipulates that procurement program results will be added to quarterly financial report. It will describe the projects, the procurement method, budget, bid amounts, number of bidders, contract length and decision-making rationale.
Third, the policy will provide a list of licences of occupation and leases in the municipality's annual report.
Finally, delegated development permits and temporary use permits will be presented bi-annually to council.
Council was supportive of the measures.
Coun. Chris Pettingill said he was a little apprehensive with increasing delegations for temporary use permits, but added that other elements like development permits were well-guided by existing policy.
"I am willing to, given the extra reporting, now try this out and see how this goes," said. Pettingill.
Coun. Jenna Stoner said she wouldn't have been able to support increased delegation unless the reporting policy was enhanced.
She said the policy was to her satisfaction.
"I think it helps with transparency for both council and the public for how those delegated authorities and powers are being used," Stoner said.
