‘We have to do better. We will do better’: TNRD board chair addresses need for changes to spending

KAMLOOPS — TNRD board chair Ken Gillis says the new era of transparency will begin with an independent review of all past expenditures.

“There were occassions when I thought the wine flowed surprisingly freely,” said Gillis. “There were occassions when, in fact I raised the issue once and was pretty much told to mind my own business.”

Board members like Sally Watson, who has been outspoken about spending policies, says it’s a great first step.

“I think it’s most excellent. We have a black eye and we need to have transparency to get out of the situation we’re in,” Watson told CFJC Today via Zoom from her home in 70 Mile House.

Similarly, TNRD director Mel Rothenburger is pleased with the recommendation for a review.

“I think it will help complete the information that’s available, and to take a more in-depth look at what were good expenses and maybe ones that should be questioned and certainly flagged for future policy-making,” said Rothenburger.

The review, which would be conducted by a third-party accounting firm with no association with the regional district, would take about six weeks to two months, according to Gillis.

The board chair admits the TNRD and the board did not adapt quick enough to ensure spending was under control.

Beyond the review, new CAO Scott Hildebrand says, in part, it’s his job to put the taxpayers’ minds at ease.

“I think making sure the policies are executed and making sure that we are holding our staff accountable to those policies,” said Hildebrand, who’s been in the role for six months. “We’ve made some significant changes with CAO expenses (credit card limit of $5,000 annually) now having to be signed off and approved by the chair or vice-chair. We’ve changed some of our expense and special event policies.”

Directors are now limited to two drinks at TNRD functions, even though some feel everyone should pay for their own. Rothenburger feels expenses should be made more readily available — more than once a year with a little more detail.

“I think what we should be working toward is the detail of those expenses, so people can see exactly where it went,” he told CFJC Today. ” If I buy a cup of coffee because I’m talking to a constituent, that should be very clear as to what was going on there, or why meals were expensed, or hotel rooms or whatever.”

Watson and others hope the independent review, and this spending controversy, encourages the board to take a more active role in overseeing spending.