Coun. Lorrie Williams' role on the Federation of Canadian Municipalities helped her city expenses reach nearly $20,000 in 2012.
The newly released schedule of council remuneration and expenses for 2012 indicates that Williams had expenses of $12,898 for conferences including the Union of B.C. Municipalities, the Federation of Canadian Municipalities and the Lower Mainland Local Government Association. In addition, she also claimed $2,118 for FCM committees, $667 for other conferences, seminars and training, $285 for attending city-sponsored community events, $387 for other community events and $3,305 for other city expenses - for a grand total of $19,660.
"I can honestly say everything I have spent, I have spent in the interests of the city," Williams told The Record. "I have done it openly and genuinely. There is no padding."
Williams has been a representative to the Federation of Canadian Municipalities women's, international and environmental committees. Those roles require her to attend meetings across Canada.
"At the beginning of the FCM term, council approved me to go to these things," she said. "I spent it and submitted my bills. The (hotel) reservations are usually made by FCM in different parts of the country."
Williams firmly believes that New Westminster benefits from her involvement in the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, as well as the organization's efforts on behalf of municipalities. She cited the extension of the Building Canada Fund and the indexing of the gas tax as positive examples of the federation's lobbying efforts.
While attending Federation of Canadian Municipalities business in Ottawa, Williams has also met with organizations like the Canadian Mint about potential projects in New Westminster. At last weeks Federation of Canadian Municipalities convention in Vancouver, Williams was elected as a director to the federation's B.C. caucus.
Coun. Bill Harper claimed the second highest expenses at $8,745, including $4,232 for Union of B.C. Municipalities, the Federation of Canadian Municipalities and Lower Mainland Local Government Association conferences, $3,712 for conferences/seminars/training, $509 for city-sponsored community events, $292 for other community events and $3,314 for other city expenses.
Next in line was Mayor Wayne Wright, whose $8,035 in expenses including $2,018 for police board business. In his role as mayor, Wright also chairs the New Westminster Police Board.
Trailing behind were: Coun. Jaimie McEvoy - $5,827; Coun. Chuck Puchmayr - $4,513; and Coun. Betty McIntosh - $4,477.
Coun. Jonathan Cote spent far less than his council colleagues in 2012, claiming $1,622 in expenses.
Before attending any conferences, Cote said he seeks to make sure that it's providing good value and benefits the city. He believes there are benefits to the city from having officials attend conferences but doesn't feel he needs to attend them all.
"It's important the city be represented at these conferences," he said. "It's that communication with the upper level of government, whether it is the provincial or federal government."
Cote said conferences are also beneficial as they allow city officials to learn from the experiences of other municipalities.
Although he had the lowest expenses on council in 2012, Cote said he's confident that all of his colleagues make sure the conferences they're attending provide value to the city.
"I think everyone is cognizant of that," he said.
All totalled, New Westminster city council members claimed expense of $52,879 in 2012. They also received total remuneration of $318,403: Wright received remuneration of $93,061; Williams received $38,137; and each of the other councillors received $37,441.
The report does not include any expenses claimed by council members who represent the city on Metro Vancouver committee.
