Tax payers can now track every dollar elected officials spend, thanks to Mayor Jim Watson’s decision to disclose office expenses.
Watson’s campaign promise became a reality Monday, allowing the public to view the spending of council and the city’s executive committee on a monthly basis.
According to the City of Ottawa website, by disclosing office expenses, the city has adopted a proactive approach in an effort to be more “transparent” and “accountable”.
Somerset Ward Councillor Diane Holmes, ranked as the second highest spending councillor for the month of January, with operating costs of $20,370, most of which went towards staffing payments of $17,837.
Holmes falls second to Kitchissippi Councillor Katherine Hobbs, whose office expenditures totalled $20,549, part of which the new councillor accounts for as start-up costs. Councillors are allotted an office budget of $233,874 each year.
Spending is broken down into seven categories, which include: special events, donations and memberships, travel, communications and web services, external services, office supplies and staffing costs.
Chartered accountant and political consultant, Bob Plamondon refers to the new process as a step in the right direction that will promote “accountability” in city government.
“City Hall is spending taxpayer money so there should be nothing hidden. Disclosure of the details of spending by the Mayor and Council is what taxpayers deserve,” wrote Plamondon in an email.
The public can access records of the city council and management’s spending by going to the City of Ottawa homepage and clicking on ‘Disclosure of Office Expenses’, under ‘Highlights’.