Councillors agree on ward fund reform

In a surprise move, city councillors unanimously agreed Tuesday to return control of HCI spending decisions to city staff, ending years of controversy surrounding the $600,000 in annual funds.

The healthy community initiative funds provides $50,000 a year for local projects and donations in each ward. Several years ago, city council voted to give themselves control over spending decisions. It was a controversial move, and when he was auditor general, Mayor Brian Bigger recommended that spending control be returned to staff.

It was one of his campaign promises in the October 2014 municipal election, but when the matter was discussed in April, the current city council failed to agree on how to change the policy. That meant the funds remained as they were.

That created a problem in some wards, since some city councillors had campaigned not to spend the money until the policy was changed.

The move to reconsider April's decision was moved by Ward 2 Coun. Michael Vagnini, who said reforming HCI policies were an important issue for residents.

“I would like to look at removing the authority of council to directly spend (HCI),” Vagnini said.

His motion was carried unanimously, as was Bigger's motion to return spending control to city staff.

Bigger said staff will report back in January on how to improve reporting of expenditures, and how issues such as community donations will be handled under the new policy. The new rules still have to be ratified at the next city council meeting next month, and is expected to take effect Jan. 1.

Ward 12 Coun. Joscelyne Landry-Altmann, who was a vocal supporter in the past of councillors maintaining control over the funds, supported the changes.

"The important thing is the money are still there and will support the same sorts of projects as in the past," she said. “I see no problems with this whatsoever.”

However, she said the new policy should include a role for ward councillors to have their say in where the money goes.

“We are the ones out there,” she said, “Is there going to be any councillor input?”

That sort of information will be included in the January report, she was told.

Leisure services will be the department in charge of the funds. Ron Henderson, who heads the department, said details will have to be worked out, such as how donations and non-capital spending will be handled.

“That moves beyond the realm of HCI,” Henderson said.

Ward 9 Coun. Deb McIntosh welcomed the decision, because she promised not to spend any of the funds in her ward until the policy changed. A number of requests are waiting in her ward, she said, and now can move forward.

“The residents of Ward 9 thank you,” McIntosh said.