Mayor David Gillan at this week's council meeting. (Angela Brown/battlefordsNOW staff)

By Angela Brown

Council Code of Ethics

City to use Integrity Commissioner on ad hoc basis

May 10, 2022 | 9:10 AM

North Battleford city council opted to use the services of an Integrity Commissioner on an ad hoc basis for the future, rather than retain the individual for an annual fee.

Council discussed the issue at its meeting Monday. The position is required in accordance with the new Council and Council Committees Code of Ethics Bylaw that council passed April 25. An Integrity Commissioner serves as an impartial investigator for code of ethics related complaints involving any council member(s).

The bylaw indicates the city would need to appoint an Integrity Commissioner for a specified period of time or on an ad hoc basis.

Administration proposed the city hire an individual for the position for a one-year period for a fee of $2,500.

It was recommended Angela Kruk, of Gates Law, be appointed as the City of North Battleford’s Integrity Commissioner, as she is the person serving in this role in the province.

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Coun. Len Taylor questioned whether there was enough need to retain an Integrity Commissioner on contract. He said he is now in his 10th year overall on city council, and during that time there wasn’t a need for the position until recently.

“This is the first year we have had any real integrity, code of ethics issues,” he said.

Taylor recommended the city continue to use the commissioner’s services, when needed.

“I think our bylaw has improved our knowledge of what is specifically the requirement or code of conduct, and I believe that there will be fewer complaints that arise,” he said. “As a result, I think it is better for council to approach this on an ad hoc basis…”

Taylor added he appreciates the city does need an Integrity Commission though.

“The one that we used had provided us with extraordinary services,” he said.

Coun. Kent Lindgren pointed out there would be merit in having the ongoing expertise available by retaining the commissioner for the position for the year.

“For $2,500, I think there is a value here to council and the city in providing some other level of support…,” he said. “I don’t think we’re going to have a year where it is just giving away $2,500. I think there is a benefit we will see from that in various ways.”

Lindgren added since it is only a one-year appointment, the city could re-evaluate the contract after that time.

City Manager Randy Patrick said a benefit of having the commissioner retained for the year would be to save time if any future investigations are required, since the case would be able to move forward faster.

After looking at the pros and cons in the matter, council voted against the recommendation to retain the services of an Integrity Commissioner for a year. Instead, they favoured a proposal to hire the commissioner on an ad hoc basis.

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angela.brown@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @battlefordsNOW