Outgoing Halifax auditor general urges more public funds scrutiny
'The majority of taxpayers would not want their tax dollars spent on alcohol,' says Larry Munroe
All municipalities in Nova Scotia could benefit from independent scrutiny of how taxpayers' dollars are spent, Halifax's outgoing auditor general says.
"You have to be guided by what would the taxpayers say?" said Larry Munroe who is finishing up seven years of auditing the city's finances.
"The majority of taxpayers would not want their tax dollars spent on alcohol."
The comment follows a CBC investigation into the expenses of officials in the Municipality of the District of Guysborough.
Documents obtained through a Freedom of Information Act request showed thousands of public dollars were spent on alcohol, expensive restaurant meals and gift cards.
Audits important to point of problems
Munroe is convinced ongoing performance audits can point out gaps in policy and help improve the culture around handling public funds to prevent problems.
"If we put the right policies in place, they can protect both the taxpayers and the individuals carrying them out."
The offices of municipal auditor generals should be the places where the general public can take their concerns, he said.
Munroe produced 37 reports and made 650 recommendations for change during his term. He had a tip line where residents could call in with their concerns and observations.
His first major report was on a concert scandal involving then-mayor Peter Kelly and the acting chief administrative officer.
Munroe also investigated the Washmill Underpass project which ended up millions of dollars over budget, and an underground fuel leak at the Metro Transit depot in Burnside.
There were also reviews of overtime costs, expense claims by the mayor and councillors and employee absenteeism.
AGs not the norm in all of Canada
Municipal auditor generals aren't the norm in all Canadian cities.
Edmonton and Calgary both have auditor generals. In Quebec, all communities with 100,000 people or more are required to have one. In Ontario, only Toronto is required to have one, while the rest of the municipalities in the province may hire an auditor general if they choose.
British Columbia set up a municipal auditor general for the province in 2012. The office has done at least 21
reports on different municipalities. Nova Scotia pondered a similar program at one time, Munroe said.
A review of Nova Scotia's Municipal Government Act is currently being done.