Prince Edward County Council has added several new items to the list of what members of council are allowed to claim on their expenses.
During Tuesday’s council meeting, councillors received a report from staff with recommended changes to the expense policy for council.
Most of the changes are intended to bring their policy more in line with other municipalities, including claiming office supplies and up to $25 for a cellphone plan.
One of the changes was to introduce a pilot project to allow members of council to claim expenses for the care of family members while councillors attend council meetings. The benefit would apply to children, spouses and parents of councillors. The pilot project was set to be reviewed during the third year of council’s term.
One of the new proposals sparked a brief debate, the ability to expense memorial flowers. Councillor Sam Branderhorst proposed an amendment to remove the flowers from the items council members could claim expenses for.
“I don’t want it to be like you know, certain councillors are using it way too much,” said Councillor Branderhorst. “They know they’re going to run next year and then all of a sudden we have one councillor that sending flowers to every single person that passes away in their ward.”
The amendment passed, and the motion was passed as amended.
