Blind River Council voted at its meeting Monday evening to reaffirm the agreement of integrity commissioner Tony Fleming of Cunningham Swan Carty Little and Bonham LLP to continue to serve the town.
The agreement was originally proposed in August last year, but due to COVID-related delays, not officially approved until the council meeting this evening. It will be in place until August in 2023, and was approved in what town CAO-Clerk Katie Scott described as a “housekeeping matter.”
The commissioner will work under strict rules of Code of Conduct procedures in investigating determined legitimate complaints against councillors and other town officials when warranted.
“Pursuant to Subsection 223.3 of the Municipal Act, 2001 (the Act), as amended, to appoint an integrity commissioner (the “Integrity Commissioner”) who has the function to investigate in an independent and confidential manner, a complaint made to him or her by any person, as to whether a member of council or a member of a local board has complied with the Code of Conduct or other ethics-related policies, rules or procedures, and to report on the investigation,” states some of protocols set out for the commissioner.
“The Consultant shall provide the Town with a monthly invoice detailing the hours worked and expenses incurred for the period in question and the Town agrees to pay such invoices within thirty (30) days of the receipt thereof.”
The integrity commissioner is paid $295 an hour for work by council for any investigation done.