Prince Edward County council file photo: Nicole Kleinsteuber / Quinte News)
Prince Edward County is one step closer to appointing an Integrity Commissioner to the tune of $300 an hour to handle formal complaints on an as needed basis.
On Thursday, the committee of the whole carried a motion that could see Robert Swayze hired as the Corporation’s Integrity Commissioner.
The Integrity Commissioner fee for service on an “as-needed” basis fee is an hourly rate of $300 plus disbursements for mileage and travel time, which would be charged at a rate of $150.
Councillor Dianne O’Brien was quick to voice her opposition to the expense saying it is the biggest waste of taxpayers’ money she has seen during her time on council.
In May, council beefed up its Code of Conduct Policy after Mayor Robert Quaiff expressed concern over having to discipline council and staff like “a principal.”
As it stands now, there is no mechanism for handling complaints other than forwarding them to the Ombudsman.
