The new Mountain View County council has accepted as information the municipality's existing code of ethics and conduct, which sets out rules in areas such as conflict of interest, spending of public money, and dispute resolution.
Councillors passed the motion regarding the code during the municipality's recent organizational meeting, the first meeting held by council following the Oct. 21 election.
At the recommendation of CAO Tony Marten, councillors also ordered a review of the code by council and administration in the spring. The code remains as is and in effect pending the review.
Bruce Beattie, who was elected reeve by his fellow councillors, says having the code in place ensures that councillors know what is expected of them in terms of ethical behaviour during their terms.
“It's extremely important to have that in place,” said Beattie. “We've seen evidence of some other levels of government where perhaps ethics aren't quite as important or certainly followed as closely as we would like to see them.
“We believe that we have a very ethical council. And we want to reaffirm that. Sometimes you need to be reminded of these things. We want to make sure that we do the best job that we can and this affirms that.”
Asked if he was referring to the ongoing federal Senate spending scandal when he said “other levels of government”, Beattie replied: “It could possibly refer to the Senate. It's an embarrassment. Every Canadian should be embarrassed about it, from my perspective.
“It's very sad because I have personally known a number of senators who have been excellent representatives for our country and have done good service. You know the old saying, it only takes a couple bad apples to spoil the barrel and I think that's the case here.”
(Prime Minister Stephen Harper has called on three Conservative-appointed senators to be removed from the Senate for alleged improper spending, while opposition parties say he has mishandled the situtation).
The Mountain View County code's ‘Public Comment' section states, in part: “Whilst councillors are entitled to publicly express their own opinions on council matters, this should be done with open acknowledgement of and respect for any council or committee decision that does not support a councillor's viewpoint.
“Individual councillors, and the reeve, where statements are identified as solely representing his/her division, may publically disagree with a decision of council or a committee but shall refrain from making any statements likely to damage the public perception of council or the committee.”
The code's ‘Councillor Expenditure' section states, in part: “When incurring expenditure on behalf of council, councillors are required to act responsibly, as public monies are expected to be used for the public good.
“Councillors should avoid situations where an expenditure can be questioned as inappropriate and create adverse comment that might result in undermining the standing of council in the community. County policy provides detailed guidelines about the nature of expenditures that councillors can be reimbursed for. This policy should be adhered to at all times.”
Regarding councillor interaction with municipal staff, the code states, in part: “Councillors will at all times refrain from behaviour which may be considered to be bullying of staff. Councillors must not abuse the relationship (councillor/staff) by attempting to take advantage of their position as councillor.”
Regarding gifts, the code states, in part: “Whilst token and minor gifts can be accepted, material gifts of reasonable value should either be rejected or conditionally accepted (on behalf of council) on the basis that the donor be informed at the time that the gift will be donated to a local charity.
“(Councillors) must not make improper use of their position to gain, directly or indirectly, an advantage for themselves or any other person, cause or attempt to cause detriment to the council or make improper use of information acquired because of their position.”
The provincial Municipal Government Act requires all municipal councillors to have a code of ethics and conduct in place.
During last week's organizational meeting, councillors also set committee, commission and board memberships, including the following:
Municipal Planning Commission – Councillors Ken Heck, Jeremy Sayer, Angela Aalbers and Deputy Reeve Patricia McKean.
Municipal Area Partnership – Councillors Sayer and Al Kemmere.
Mountain View Seniors' Housing – Reeve Beattie.
Police commission – Deputy Reeve McKean and Coun. Aalbers.
Sundre Petroleum Operators Group (SPOG) – Reeve Beattie.
Economic Development Committee – Councillors Heck and Aalbers.
Mountain View Regional Waste Commission – Deputy Reeve McKean.
Agriculture Services Board – Councillors Sayer, Duncan Milne and Heck.
Aggregate committee – Councillors Milne, Aalbers and Kemmere.
2-27 Area Structure Plan steering committee – Reeve Beattie and Coun. Milne.
