HALIFAX -- Municipal politicians and senior officials should follow a provincial model of publicly disclosing any spending on food, liquor or other expenses charged to taxpayers, says Nova Scotia's minister of municipal affairs.
Zach Churchill said Thursday that issues with the handling of public funds in Richmond County highlight the need for a more transparent system of posting expenses.
"All expenses of members of the legislature are online. They're there for people to see and assess," he said outside cabinet.
"We think that's a good model for all municipalities to take on."
Senior officials and a former warden of Richmond County have come under public scrutiny after private citizens applied for expense receipts under freedom of information legislation for liquor, food and other items and then posted them online.
The controversy prompted the chief administrative officer to announce on Wednesday he will take a leave of absence.
Warren Olsen said his decision came after the turmoil that has gripped the municipality for the last two years -- and after he reflected on a draft report on municipal expenses from the provincial ombudsman.
The ombudsman's report contained criticism focused on Olsen and former warden Steve Sampson for spending tens of thousands of dollars on travel, alcohol and various other items.
Churchill said his department is going to devote specific attention to the Richmond County case, as well as considering wider reforms.
He said there are specific issues in the Richmond County case, "that need to be addressed."
"We will work with the next council in addressing those," he said, referring to the upcoming municipal elections across the province.
Further changes are expected in legislative amendments expected in the spring.
"We're going to review our Municipal Government Act and ensure that when it comes to expenses, municipalities are all held to a very high standard," he said.
