Members of council found themselves treading familiar territory Monday night after Coun. Brian Skakun raised questions about the list of city suppliers.
During the meeting, council approved a statement of financial information which included a list of vendors the city discloses for services over $25,000.
Skakun posed questions as to the types of services certain ambiguously named suppliers provided and was looking for a response from administration.
Corporate services director Kathleen Solits said she couldn't give an item-by-item breakdown, but that the expenditures are approved through a mixture of the city's capital and operating plans which council approves during the budget process. Senior city staff also have delegated authority to approve projects up to $1 million.
"I'm a bit concerned that we're repeating what was already covered earlier in the year," said Mayor Shari Green, adding that Skakun was free to look up some of the less obvious supplier names instead of asking staff. "I don't know if you've looked them up in the phone book."
Skakun brought the issue forward to council as an unsuccessful notice of motion in January, looking to find clarification on 11 suppliers.
Skakun said he was met with incredulity by business owners when he went to them directly last time he had questions and was looking for a way to find the information through city channels.
"I'm not looking for a complete breakdown, nor was I looking for a complete breakdown before," he said.
Coun. Cameron Stolz said he could appreciate the interest in finding out who the city's suppliers are, but wanted staff to put it in perspective as to the scope of changing the municipality's accounting system to track invoices in the interest of full disclosure.
"I expect it's possible but likely not desirable," said Soltis, adding the work would be extensive.
With the issue rearing its head again, councillors looked for ways to find a balance between getting answers and giving staff the room to do their jobs.
"I'm not interested in sending staff on a wild goose chase," said Green.
Coun. Garth Frizzell encouraged Skakun to bring the issue back to the council table.
"We're not rubber stampers and we're not micro managers," Frizzell said. "But each of us as councillors individually has to, within our conscience, choose where that line is."
Skakun said he will discuss the issue with city manager Beth James, who expressed an interest in having a conversation on the matter.
"I don't want to make life complicated," Skakun said, adding he wanted to be able to defend the city's spending decisions to taxpayers.
