Public concerns have convinced Colwood councillors to request an independent review of the Solar Colwood program.
At a council meeting on March 26, councilors voted in favour of a recommendation from a strategic and financial planning committee calling for a review of the program.
That recommendation emerged from a series of questions presented to the City by a group of concerned citizens.
Jim Belfry, one of the authors of the questions and a citizen member of the financial committee, said the review is a step towards accountability and reassurance that the program is worthwhile of the CityB次元官网网址檚 time and money.
In total, the projected budget for the program includes $31,400 from the City in HST and $393,000 in in-kind staff time.
B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 satisfied that council has addressed the major concerns that were raised by the citizen group,B次元官网网址� Belfry said, B次元官网网址渁nd (will) come up with a plan that will put more scrutiny on the project.B次元官网网址�
Colwood staff have been directed to look at options for an independent review, including the possibility of a review by the provincial governmentB次元官网网址檚 auditor general for local government.
Coun. Teresa Harvey said she supports the review because of inconsistent reporting and out of a desire to put the public at ease. The review should look at the program from the CityB次元官网网址檚 agreement with Natural Resources Canada forward, she added.
B次元官网网址淚 think an independent review, particularly because itB次元官网网址檚 a new program, is the responsible thing for council to do,B次元官网网址� Harvey said. B次元官网网址淭he reporting for the program seems to be inconsistent and the numbers seem to change. Community members canB次元官网网址檛 seem to get answers to basic questions.B次元官网网址�
Coun. Judith Cullington, who has spearheaded the Solar Colwood program, agreed that a review is a good idea, for the main purpose of helping the public find confidence in the initiative.
B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 very comfortable because there have been ongoing audits of this program since the beginning,B次元官网网址� Cullington said. B次元官网网址淲hat IB次元官网网址檓 trying to do is lay these fears to rest. ... I think for many people perhaps it will set their minds at rest.B次元官网网址�
Natural Resources Canada (NRCan), which is providing $3.9 million toward the program, has an onsite audit planned for the program starting this month.
This audit will include a risk assessment. Management of the program is the CityB次元官网网址檚 responsibility, according to an NRCan spokesperson, but the agency has received all requested information.
B次元官网网址淭o date, NRCan has no concerns with ColwoodB次元官网网址檚 management of our contribution funds,B次元官网网址� wrote the spokesperson in an email.
Council also agreed to treat Solar Colwood as an B次元官网网址渆xtraordinaryB次元官网网址� budget item for the 2012 budget.
Though it does not qualify as a supplementary request, the committee, and now council, believes that the program needs special attention beyond a core budget item. This will give the public more of an opportunity to have its say.
The only recommendation voted down by council was one asking for a freeze on the program until the review had been completed. Harvey voted in favour of a freeze but found no other support.
Belfry said that if council makes a decision to allow a citizenB次元官网网址檚 audit, both he and fellow Colwood resident George Mess would be willing to do it.
Staff will come to council with options at its next meeting on Tuesday, April 10.
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