In a recent display of ongoing unapproved spending, Cllr. Broughton and CAO Blackwell attended the Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) convention in Victoria contrary to a council resolution (pg. 5 here, pg. 45 here) which approved attendance and associated costs for Cllr. Abbott only*.
Similarly, in 2023 Berry and Broughton attended the UBCM without the knowledge – or budget approval – of council, including attending a $210 a plate banquet with their wives. They later repaid $420 in costs for their wives’ meals, leaving taxpayers to cover two expensive dinners and other unapproved costs totalling $3,171. The number may look small, but it is an indicator of a lack of fiscal prudence.
It is but the tip of the iceberg.
The 2025 budget for legal fees was set at $40,000. By June 30 over $148,000 had been spent without council approving a budget increase, and the spending continues as was evident in the October 7 meeting in which it was revealed legal counsel is working on village bylaws.
In a September meeting Cllr. Abbott questioned the overruns and asked staff to bring a proposal to council for additional budget. The CAO refused and other councillors did not provide support for the request.
Earlier this year former Cllr. Reuter was asked whether council had taken steps to curb these costs. He replied, “The usual members of council are not complying with a resolution we took in an attempt to stop the gross misuse of legal counsel. They continue to treat village coffers like a personal slush fund to fund their witch hunts and other nefarious agendas. I’m glad the costs are public in the AP [Accounts Payable] reports included on agenda packages – albeit usually very late – so residents can see for themselves public money is flowing down the drain on things we don’t need.
“The inflated cost of the 2022 audit by over $100,000 was the first major sign of this fiscal irresponsibility and I hope residents haven’t forgotten that.”
It’s widely believed interference in this audit, referenced in the auditor’s management letter, was linked to Berry-Broughton’s now defunct finance committee, leading to its long, expensive delay.
The recently released, overdue 2024 financials reveal concerning overspending on staff remuneration. In all, staff costs increased by over $200,000. These are now deemed operational and are controlled by the CAO, a change supported by Berry-Broughton since the term began. Remuneration is however required to comply with the council-approved budget.
The PWM was paid $202,000 in 2024 while his predecessor earned less than $120,000. His equivalent in the Village of Anmore, a slightly larger municipality, earned $116,575. The PWM position in Lions Bay is being advertised at $130,000.
The Municipal Accountant earned over $115,000 while her more experienced predecessor earned around $84,000 in 2022.
In the build-up to the 2022 election Ken Berry spoke at the April 19, 2022 council meeting to express concern at high staff costs but on his watch salaries have ballooned. He also demanded the then-CAO return to work in the office. The current CAO spends little time in the office in breach of his contract and with the support of Berry-Broughton. His contract was obtained through a Freedom of Information Request.
Side note: Accurate costs of the ongoing Beach Park Project are as yet unknown.
* In previous council terms, to limit spending, one council member would attend conferences and afterwards provided a report to council. Budgets and goals were agreed in advance.
