Wednesday July 23, 2014 www.saobserver.net $1.25 GST Included
CSRD directors balk at new expense policy spending: Staff introduce rules to better regulate claims, electoral directors call for more time to review. By Barb Brouwer obServer STAFF
James murray/obServer
Powerful performance
In stunning regalia, Alkali Lake traditional dancer Frank Robbins competes in his category at the 30th annual Skwlax Competition Pow Wow, held over the weekend at the Pow Wow grounds on Little Shuswap Indian Band land. For more images from the event, turn to page A12 or check out the slideshow on www.saobserver.net.
This week Brian Blair’s on top of the world after winning a lacrosse gold medal. See A17 for details. Salmon Arm’s newest public art project officially opened to rave reviews. See story on A21.
directors pushed pause on an attempt by columbia Shuswap regional district staff to introduce policies on expense accountability and giving grants prior to elections. Jodi Kooistra, manager of financial services, brought forward a policy to amend travel and expense reimbursement for staff and directors and a second that would prevent directors from giving grants in aid in the three months prior to a municipal election. Kooistra told directors at the July 17 board meeting in Salmon Arm that the travel and expense policy was adopted in 1981 and has not been amended since. “There are currently no guidelines that set limits on meal expenditures, room upgrades or partner programs,” she said. “We have been paying out previously on the basis of submitted receipts, but there was a lack of consistency in how we process expense claims within the organization.”
SCHEDULE OF REMUNERATION AND EXPENSES – 2013 elected Officials
remuneration
expenses
BENTY, Christina CANNON, Debbie COOPER, Nancy DEMENOK, Paul HABART, Gary MARTIN, Rhona MORGAN, Larry PARKER, Loni RAVEN, David TALBOT, Rene TROUTON, Darrell TOTAL
$15,288 $13,746 $13,746 $24,981 $21,344 $26,884 $24,970 $23,282 $37,899 $28,400 $15,200 $249,248
$2,935 $151 $219 $11,021 $7,519 $10,443 $11,923 $13,312 $2,649 $14,286 $942 $76,675
Kooistra explained that some submitted receipts have shown total amounts, but no itemized details of the expense. “Policy F-14 provides guidelines for consistency and accountability when travelling on regional district business, representing the regional district or attending conferences, seminars and other training opportunities,” wrote Kooistra in her report. “It is essential to have a clear and concise policy supported by sound procedures that clearly define the authority to attend, the permitted expenses, the payment limits and the reporting
requirements.” cSrd board chair david raven supported the report, speaking to both policies immediately following the meeting. “over the past several years, it has become apparent that the regional district needs to clarify and revisit their policies around expenses and grants in aid to ensure they’re consistent, fair and transparent,” he said. “In the case of the expense claims, the issues in the Senate and other levels of government provide a lesson that our expense claims See Policy on page A4
Index Opinion ....................... A6 View Point .................. A7 Time Out..................... A8 Life & Times ............. A12 Sports................A15-A17 Arts & Events ... A19-A22 Vol. 107, No. 30, 44 pages