It might be a signal that Wellington North council will be keeping a close eye on how it spends taxpayer money.
Mayor Ray Tout, who campaigned on a promise to watch spending, questioned a $60 bill for an oil and lube job on a township employee’s truck when council looked over its November accounts summary on Monday evening.
It wasn’t just the cost that raised concerns with the mayor, but the fact the work was done at a garage in Harriston.
Mayor Tout asked Manager of Public Works Gary Williamson whether minor work, such as oil jobs couldn’t be done by township employees in the township garage.
Williamson said employees do maintenance on larger township vehicles, but not on pickup trucks.
The bill in question involved Williamson’s township supplied truck.
He said the reason the vehicle was taken to Harriston was because it was under warranty.
However, Tout said the work could have been done at a local garage without voiding the warranty.
“It doesn’t make any sense to go all the way to Harriston for a $60 oil change,” he said.
