It really is time to call a halt to this business of an external audit for council’s expense accounts. The Gazette has provided us with a review of the expenses of all members of council including the mayor.
The editorial in the April 11 Gazette also highlights how vague and unclear the expense policies are. The Gazette review shows that every person on council has items of concern flagged. Some councillors have general expense claims that are not supported by receipts.
Do I believe that anyone on council is stealing money from St. Albertans simply because he or she has not provided receipts? I do not. I do believe that a clear policy on expenses should be drafted by city staff and implemented immediately by council. This would be a help to both council and staff when reimbursements of expense claims come into play. It would also put a stop to this witch hunt (there is nothing else to call it) spearheaded by some council members and some members of the public who say they are speaking on behalf of St. Albert taxpayers, but certainly not on my behalf.
I say enough already.
Valerie Spink, St. Albert
