Local municipal leaders are taking a cautious approach to the proposed creation of a B.C. municipal auditor general.
The proposed municipal auditor general would serve a similar function for municipalities in the province as the provincial and federal auditor generals. The provincial and federal auditors general conduct audits on the finances and performance of government bodies.
Coun. Murry Krause, who sits on the Union of B.C. Municipalities board of directors, said municipalities are already required to present annual reports to the public.
"Nobody wants to shy away from openness and transparency," Krause said. "[But] there is some confusion about what is needed here. Is the problem a weakness in municipal accountability, or is there another problem?"
The Union of B.C. Municipalities has released a discussion paper on the issue and will be hosting a session at the association annual general meeting in September, he said.
Community, Sport and Cultural Development Minister Ida Chong has requested local government officials and councils fill out a seven-question survey by Sept. 9 regarding the role of the proposed municipal auditor general.
On Monday, Prince George city council voted to respond with a letter reiterating some of the issues raised by the Union of B.C. Municipalities.
"What is the problem? If there is something broken with municipal accountability, what is it?" Krause said.
Last week the board of the Regional District of Fraser-Fort George took a similar approach.
Director and city councillor Garth Frizzell said the short timeline and lack of information, it's difficult to respond effectively.
"Being asked on how to shape this, it's difficult to comment without knowing what they are looking at," Frizzell said.
Director and city councillor Dave Wilbur said municipal officials should be given more time and information to respond.
"I think relaying the 'thank you, but we need more time,' is really critical," Wilbur said.
Municipal auditor generals have been instituted in Nova Scotia and several large municipalities in Ontario, Chong said.
Premier Christy Clark pledged to introduce additional oversight at the municipal level during her leadership campaign.
"We acknowledge there is only one taxpayer in this province. They do deserve to know they are getting value for money," Chong said. "Local taxpayers want to know and have some understanding of how their tax dollars are being spent. We want to look at how best we can spend every dollar."
Currently the model being considered would have a single municipal auditor general for the province, sharing offices and resources with the provincial auditor general, Chong said.
"We certainly want to keep the costs low. They are not going to be able to be looking at the entire finances of the municipalities, but will be looking at specific programs."
Chong said the province is still in discussion with municipal governments about the program, but plan to move quickly to have a municipal auditor general in place.
"We are serious about this. We want to see an office of the municipal auditor general in place by next year."
