Rookie councillor pushes for financial controls

Bryan Hayes, the financial analyst who two months ago replaced Derik Brandt as Ward 3 Councillor, has wasted no time in launching his first major initiative.

A resolution to be presented to Council tonight, authored by Hayes and Ward 2 Councillor Brady Irwin, asks the City to investigate establishing a finance or audit committee.

The following is the full text of the Hayes-Irwin resolution:

**************************************************************** Whereas the role of Council is to ensure that adminstrative practices and procedures are in place to implement the decisions of Council; and

Whereas numerous requests for funding come forward on a regular basis; and

Whereas controls exist to assist in managing risk and promoting effective governance; and

Whereas ongoing monitoring activities should be conducted to periodically assess risk and the effectiveness of controls to manage risk;

Now therefore be it resolved that City Council request the Finance Department to prepare a report identifying municipalities that currently have a Finance and/or Audit Committee in place and the structure and terms and conditions of that committee.

*************************************************************** In an unrelated matter, Council is expected to decide tonight how to replace departing Ward 2 Councillor Tony Ryma.

You tell us

City Hall already has more than 50 advisory committees. Do we need another one to oversee how your tax dollars are spent? What grade would you give Hayes as a rookie councillor? Your comments are welcome in the News Response feature on our editorial page.