The Editor,
Re. "PoCo not impressed with new auditor position" (The Tri-City News, Sept. 2).
I am writing to clarify information regarding Port Coquitlam city council's concerns about the provincial government's proposal to create a municipal auditor general position. I want to clarify that, at the time the article was printed on Sept. 2, council had not yet written to the minister of community, sport and cultural development.
We are open to working with the provincial government, learning from other jurisdictions and sharing best practices on how to provide the best services for the best value to our ratepayers. We welcome all suggestions on how taxpayers' dollars should be spent to achieve more cost-effectiveness.
Currently, an external audit of the city's finances is performed each year by an independent accredited audit firm and provided to the province and the community in the city's award-winning annual report.
At any time, a provincial representative from the Office of the Inspector of Municipalities may review city actions and decisions and make recommendations.
City budgets are required by law to have public input prior to adoption. Financial information on city tax rates, revenues, expenditures, reserves and capital costs are provided to the ministry and posted on the ministry's website.
In a letter that was sent today to the provincial government (available at www.portcoquitlam.ca/fig), council expressed concern that the province has not defined the specific role of the municipal auditor general position nor have the deliverables or cost implications of this new office been articulated to local governments. Council is recommending that if more needs to be done, the responsibilities of the Inspector of Municipalities' Office be increased or replaced as it already provides oversight to local government management.
The current proposal creates duplication in government and spending of public funds that can be allocated elsewhere.
We will continue to be accountable to our residents by providing detailed information on how their money is spent through our annual budget development and financial planning processes. We continue to involve our residents in city decision making processes and encourage residents and businesses to submit ideas and comments about the city's 2012-2016 financial plan at www.portcoquitlam.ca/budget.
Greg Moore, Mayor,City of Port Coquitlam
