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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOR-2022-419 - Appointments to Municipal Election Compliance Audit Committee Corporate Services Department www.kitchener.ca REPORT TO: Choose a meeting type DATE OF MEETING: September 12, 2022 SUBMITTED BY: Amanda Fusco, Director of Legislated Services & City Clerk, 519-741- 2200 ext. 7809 PREPARED BY: Amanda Fusco, Director of Legislated Services & City Clerk, 519-741- 2200 ext. 7809 WARD(S) INVOLVED: N/A DATE OF REPORT: August 26, 2022 REPORT NO.: COR-2022-419 SUBJECT: Appointments to Municipal Election Compliance Audit Committee RECOMMENDATION: For information. REPORT HIGHLIGHTS: The purpose of this report is to provide Council with an update on the recruitment and appointment of members to the joint 2022-2026 Municipal Election Compliance Audit Committee with the Region of Waterloo participating members. This report supports the delivery of core services. BACKGROUND: The Municipal Elections Act (the Act) mandates that every municipality appoints for a 4-year term, a Municipal Election Compliance Audit Committee (MECAC) no later than October 1 of an election year. Essentially the mandate of MECAC is to determine if an allegation made by an elector regarding non-compliance of the Act with respect to a candidate's financial statement warrants an audit by a certified auditor. Corporate Services report COR-2022-208 was considered by the Committee of the Whole May 16, 2022, and Council adopted the following resolution: That a joint Municipal Election Compliance Audit Committee be established for the 2022- That the City Clerk be delegated authority to review and revise the Terms of Reference throughout the term of the Committee in accordance and in consultation with other participating municipalities; and *** This information is available in accessible formats upon request. *** Please call 519-741-2345 or TTY 1-866-969-9994 for assistance. That the City Clerk be delegated authority to select and appoint members of the Municipal Election Compliance Audit Committee, in consultation with the other participating municipalities; and further; and That remuneration of $200 per diem plus the applicable mileage rate be approved for members of the Municipal Election Compliance Audit Committee. REPORT: Advertisement took place within the Region, via social media, and on the websites of the participating municipalities to attract applicants for the MECAC. Eight (8) applications were received: four (4) residing in Kitchener and Waterloo; and four (4) each from Cambridge and the Townships. Four (4) of the previous term MECAC members reapplied (Murray Stoddart, Rosita Tse, Robert Williams and Carl Zehr). The Clerks of the participating municipalities reviewed the applications and agreed all eight (8) members meet the requirements detailed in the MECAC Terms of Reference. In addition, the membership comprises a mix of experienced and new members as well as balancing private- sector accounting experience with previous municipal accounting and political experience. As such, the Clerks have agreed to appoint the following individuals as members of the 2022-2026 MECAC: Theresa Bisch Kris Fletcher Dave Jaworsky Murray Stoddart Tingting Su Rosita Tse Robert Williams Carl Zehr STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT: This report supports the delivery of core services. FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS: The expenses associated with a compliance audit are currently unfunded and would represent a variance within the Election Reserve Fund if a compliance audit were required. COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT: INFORM: Membership for the MECAC were solicited across the participating municipalities by advertising, posting on the respective municipal websites, using social media channels, contacting various professional associations, and by approaching previous MECAC members. COLLABORATE: The Municipal Election Compliance Audit Committee offers qualified citizens the opportunity to help meet the provisions regarding municipal election campaign finances and provide transparency throughout the entire election process. PREVIOUS REPORTS/AUTHORITIES: COR 2022 208 Municipal Election Compliance Audit Committee Terms of Reference COR 18 011 Appointments to Municipal Election Compliance Audit Committee Municipal Elections Act, 1996 APPROVED BY: V. Raab, General Manager, Corporate Services Department