One Erin councillor is asking for the CAO’s use of the delegated authority bylaw be reported to council on a regular basis.
Councillor Matt Sammut raised a notice of motion on Nov. 21, seeking what he called a more transparent process on the bylaw.
A previous council passed a delegated authority bylaw in June to give the CAO powers and duties where the council “deems it appropriate” under the town’s personnel policy and procedure guideline.
The delegated authority bylaw allows the CAO to:
– make a “determination of the will of town council;”
– recruit and employ personnel permanently;
– promote, demote, suspend, discipline and terminate municipal employees;
– create positions of employment (provided that funding is available and has been approved by council);
– settle claims, upon the advice of the town’s legal counsel, up to $100,000;
– direct the town’s legal counsel in a number of ways;
– approve and enter into leases on town-owned land on a number of conditions;
– and more.
Sammut asked the CAO to provide quarterly reports, about both open and closed session items.
He said while he believes staff should be allowed to do its day-to-day tasks without having to get council’s approval, council has a responsibility to oversee operations.
“I think it’s important no matter who the CAO, department heads or council is – it just ensures transparency of council on issues that are impacting our community – that’s what we were voted (in) to do,” he said.
CAO Nathan Hyde said he had no issue with providing quarterly reports.
“The delegated authority, as you’ll recall, really does address routine operational issues and staff have no issue, because we always operate openly and transparently,” Hyde said.
Councillor John Brennan said he supports the idea of the motion, but expects the CAO to include use of the delegated authority in any quarterly report.
“I don’t really know if it’s necessary to single this one particular item out,” he said.
“I would expect this to be a part of any regular report that he would make to us.”
Councillor Jeff Duncan said that’s not always the case.
“Delegated authority bylaws in most other municipalities that I’ve seen … part of the delegated authority bylaw is having the disclosure part of it, something that was not in our bylaw,” Duncan said.
Council supported the motion unanimously.
