MINTO – The Town of Minto has joined the list of Wellington County municipalities that will allow the Ontario Ombudsman to become its closed meeting investigator.
In December of 2018, Minto council appointed John Maddox as the town’s closed meeting investigator for a four-year term, notes a report from clerk Annilene McRobb.
However, Maddox has advised that he is retiring at the end of this year.
Maddox was retained through an agreement with the County of Wellington and member municipalities.
At the Nov. 3 meeting, council approved a recommendation from McRobb that the municipality not appoint a new investigator and allow the Ombudsman’s Office to become the investigator by default, effective Dec. 31.
The Ombudsman’s office does not charge for the service.
Currently the County of Wellington pays an annual retainer to Maddox of $2,800: $1,000 for the county and $300 for each member municipality participating in the joint agreement.
If an investigation is required, the affected municipality pays Maddox $100 per hour plus expenses and mileage.
Wellington County and Wellington North council also recently approved decisions to allow the Ombudsman become their closed meeting investigator by default.
The Township of Mapleton made a similar move in 2015.
