A committee of the Halifax council has requested a strategy to enhance financial transparency in the mayor’s office and the overall municipality following an audit that raised concerns about $111,000 in expenses incurred by Andy Fillmore during his mayoral tenure. The finance committee, in a vote on Wednesday, directed the chief administrative officer to formulate corrective actions in response to the findings of the June audit, which identified four transactions within Fillmore’s office that did not adhere to municipal policies. This audit led the regional auditor general to refer the issue to the RCMP.
During the committee’s discussion, Fillmore abstained due to potential conflicts of interest. However, the approved motion, which incorporated amendments proposed by the mayor, expanded the plan’s scope to encompass not only his office but the entire municipality. Fillmore acknowledged the findings of the auditor general and emphasized the importance of comprehensive accountability measures to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
“I’m pleased that the committee chair included the changes I suggested, fostering a collaborative effort to reinforce accountability for taxpayers. I anticipate consistent standards across the municipality,” Fillmore stated in a release following the meeting. The finalized plan is anticipated to be presented to the council within two months.
Councillor Sam Austin expressed optimism that the plan would reassess a decision by the previous chief administrative officer to grant greater autonomy to the mayor’s office. The municipality’s auditor general, Andrew Atherton, indicated to the committee in June that he involved the authorities upon concluding his audit as the situation exceeded his expertise to determine legality.
Regarding Fillmore’s expenses, he highlighted that additional training on procurement procedures had been provided to him and his staff. The largest expense stemmed from hiring a human resources consultant for staffing purposes, with the final cost exceeding the initial estimate. The audit revealed shortcomings in adhering to the procurement process for various contracts, including hiring a speechwriter and engaging external legal services without appropriate approvals.
Fillmore stated that he personally reimbursed the legal expenses, clarifying that they were not personal expenditures. The audit findings underscored the importance of robust oversight and compliance with procurement regulations to uphold financial integrity within the municipality.
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