Transparency at all levels of government is important.
When a public body is tasked with overseeing how thousands, millions or even billions of taxpayers’ dollars are spent, it is imperative we taxpayers know how that money is being spent.
That’s why Westlock County Div. 3 Coun. Jim Wiese’s motion to have the county post its councillors’ salaries and expenses on the county website is a welcome development.
Although the amount of money county councillors are paid, and the amount they expense back to the taxpayer, is miniscule compared to higher levels of government, it is important we know where it is going, and who is suckling at the public teat just a little too much.
Now, this is not to say county councillors have been conducting a gravy train all these years, and that this move will shame them into reeling in their spending.
But it might make some think twice before expensing that $16 orange juice while at a conference.
Reeve Bud Massey made a good point when discussing Wiese’s motion, stating in politics it’s not just being honest that matters, but also having the appearance of being honest.
And that’s what it comes down to.
We can hear from politicians that they are carefully minding the public purse, but without that minding being laid out in black and white, how can we be sure what the truth is?
They talk the talk, but they gain so much more credibility when they walk the walk as well.
Now, what bears remembering is that councillor salaries and expenses are already public — they are made available in the county’s audited financial statements.
This proposal would see the figures posted online four times a year, giving residents the opportunity to keep tabs on what their division’s councillor is spending at regular intervals, instead of waiting for the annual report to come out.
