Letter: Problem is with process, not ward funds

I wish to comment on the Jan. 6 letter to the editor “Councillors should continue to control ward funds.”

I first want to state I believe there have been some very worthy projects and events supported by the HCI fund.

Notwithstanding, I believe the existing administration of the application and approval process is seriously flawed.

The current bylaw is at risk for conflict of interest matters without any mechanism built into the HCI by-law for taxpayers’ complaints or investigations of suspected abuse.

The reality is some of the HCI expenditures seriously lack transparency and accountability. Requests for information regarding information about HCI expenditures are hidden behind the veil of the Freedom of Information.

Not removing councillors’ individual authority over the application and approval process of HCI applications would be insulting to the intelligence of the voters.

The public record of councillor’s positions on the funds are four want to eliminate them altogether; five want to eliminate any councillor’s approval authority whatsoever; Ward 5 Coun. Bob Kirwan wants to have council as a whole approve all fund disbursements; and our Ward 4 Coun. Evelyn Dutrisac and Ward 12 Coun. Joscelyne Landry-Altmann want to retain their power over the HCI funds.

Councillors need to live up to their publicly stated positions on the HCI funds and vote to make serious and meaningful promised changes.

The reality is there is no accountability mechanism in place if a taxpayer deems there may be a moral or perhaps illegal issue with any HCI expenditure. The city clerk, chief financial officer and CAO have all stated they do not have any authority in dealing with a taxpayer’s concern of a councillor’s HCI expenditure.

There is no public reporting of declined HCI applications. As a matter of fact, despite the city’s website stating all HCI applicants will receive a response if their application is declined, again there is no mechanism in place for a taxpayer to ensure they obtain a response if their application is declined.

If the HCI funds survive the impending council considerations, not being allowed to accumulate more than $50,000 or carry forward unused HCI funds is disconcerting.
This use-it-or-lose-it policy would surely see HCI funds wasted on unworthy projects rather than councillor see their ward lose the unused funds.

If the status quo of the councillors’ unfettered authority over the HCI application and approval continues, with all due respect to the current councillors, there are no guarantees that abuse will cease.

I acknowledge that some who have their hand out annually for HCI grants may be willing to close their eyes to the HCI abuse by some councillors as long as their hand outs continue.

Bernie Beland
Greater Sudbury