Councillor Jim McPherson withdrew his support Monday night for the acceptance of the Operational Review report and it's 128 recommendations, and called for a recorded vote for the resolution to adopt the recommendations and work plan contained within the report.
Citing concerns about the potential removal of the municipal paysheets as a control mechanism, and a failing of those involved in the Operational Review to find ways to fine tune the administration of the municipality in such a way that cost savings could be realized, McPherson announced that he was reversing the support he had given the report at the previous Committee of the Whole meeting.
McPherson argued that the municipal paysheets are a valuable tool for members of council to ensure that the finances of the corporation are being handled properly, and he doesn't want to lose the ability to scrutinize expenses.
“We have even rescinded payments as a result of the paysheets,” McPherson told council.
The Operational Review report which was presented to council on November 9, contains 128 recommendations, one of which is to discontinue use of the paysheets as a control mechanism. The argument put forward is that the paysheet information is too late in the process to act as an effective control.
CAO Frank Miele suggested that other control mechanisms will be put in place that would be more effective, and would give members of council a greater appreciation of the municipal financial picture.
Miele has previously assured members of council that the paysheets would not be abandoned, and could be used for informational purposes, but would no longer act as a financial control.
Miele did not attend the November 23 meeting so he was unable to respond to the concerns of Councillor McPherson.
During his explanation of his decision to change his vote, McPherson also suggested that had the Citizen Task Force and the independent consultant who carried out the review been aware prior to conducting the audit, that for the second year in a row Meaford would furnish a deficit in excess of $1 million, the outcome of the review would have been markedly different.
“The Mayor had previously indicated that the 2008 deficit would be no more than $100,000. That was wrong,” said McPherson.
McPherson further argued that the residents of Meaford cannot afford any additional taxation, and added that because of that he cannot support the five year plan that was implemented during the 2009 budget preparations.
He indicated that in his view, hinging the success of the Operational Review recommendations, and the re-payment of the previous deficits on the five year plan was unwise as it assumes that education and county tax rates will not increase during the five year period.
Councillor Greenfield responded to the concerns of McPherson by indicating that though there are portions of the Operational Review report that he too takes issue with, including the paysheet recommendation, he would support the adoption of the work plan in order to maintain momentum in working toward solutions.
The report was defended by Councillor Cynthia Lemon who suggested that it would be irresponsible to discard the report and work plan because of a few specific recommendations that some councillors did not agree with.
“There are a significant number of recommendations in the report that will have a positive impact,” said Lemon, “It concerns me that we would throw out the whole report because of two issues.”
In a 5-2 recorded vote, the report and it's recommendations were adopted by council. In addition to McPherson, Councillor Gerald Shortt also voted against the resolution.
