Alberta government orders forensic audit of Chestermere

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The Alberta authorities has ordered a forensic audit of the Metropolis of Chestermere, additional probing town’s monetary points below the management of lately fired mayor Jeff Colvin.

Municipal Affairs Minister Ric McIver introduced the inspection final Wednesday, marking the second province-ordered investigation in Chestermere inside the previous two years — the earlier one finally resulting in the dismissal of Colvin, half of council and three prime metropolis officers final month.

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Auditing agency Deloitte has been appointed to guide the probe, targeted on town’s financials between the final election on Oct. 18, 2021, and the dismissals on Dec. 4, 2023.

“An inspection is a rare measure that isn’t undertaken flippantly. I’m conscious that is the second inspection town has undergone in two years; nonetheless, I take into account it to be crucial to handle recognized issues with the monetary administration of town,” reads a Jan. 19 letter from McIver to official administrator Doug Lagore — who’s now performing as Chestermere’s metropolis council after spending greater than a 12 months supervising the beleaguered metropolis authorities.

The minister had promised a monetary probe of town as he made the dismissals final month. In a Tuesday assertion, McIver’s workplace stated the inspection — ordered based mostly on issues of monetary irregularities raised by Lagore and Municipal Affairs’ consideration of town’s monetary reporting — is now underway.

“The inspection will deal with town’s monetary insurance policies, reporting, controls and governance, in addition to chief administrative officer and council bills, hiring and procurement,” stated McIver’s press secretary, Scott Johnston.

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Findings to be launched forward of byelection

Among the many issues prone to be a part of the monetary inspection are Colvin’s bank card statements. Paperwork filed by Colvin in court docket final month confirmed the previous mayor racked up $8,651.83 in costs on his city-issued bank card, whereas eating out 84 occasions between March and June 2023 — the one interval for which data has been publicly launched. The province has additionally raised questions on points surrounding metropolis purchases and monetary paperwork.

Moreover, town filed its previous two years of audited monetary statements late, partly brought on by a falling out in late 2022 with its former auditor, KPMG, after town threatened authorized motion in opposition to the agency.

Findings of the monetary overview are anticipated to be publicly launched earlier than the approaching byelection, and Chestermere’s administration is predicted to completely adjust to the investigation.

“It’s my intent the inspection will present town suggestions on the appropriateness of monetary controls and provide extra readability to the general public concerning the monetary place of town upfront of voting sooner or later byelection,” McIver wrote in his letter. “This measure of transparency is necessary in guaranteeing residents are totally knowledgeable and assured within the measures being taken to determine efficient governance and administration.”

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Colvin has stated he — alongside fired councillors Stephen Hanley, Mel Foat and Blaine Funk — will run within the byelection if their ongoing court docket challenges of the dismissal are unsuccessful. The group has referred to as the province’s claims in opposition to their authorities false and biased, alleging the province has misrepresented data and conspired in opposition to them.

A date for the byelection remains to be to be decided. The mayor and 4 councillor seats are open, as one of many three councillors spared by the province’s order, Sandy Johal-Watt, has since resigned. Councillors Shannon Dean and Ritesh Narayan are anticipated to renew their roles on council after the byelection.

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Ex-city official’s assault trial postponed

In the meantime, former Chestermere CAO Kim Wallace had her assault trial delayed once more in provincial court docket in Strathmore on Tuesday. The trial, which started final July, was scheduled to proceed however was postponed attributable to scheduling points on the courthouse.

Wallace — one of many metropolis officers fired final month — is accused of assaulting one among her workers throughout a heated trade at Chestermere Metropolis Corridor in January 2023. Sarah Wilgress, then town’s communications supervisor, testified that Wallace forcefully poked her whereas screaming at her and two different employees members, and later backhanded her throughout the shoulder.

Wallace has testified that Wilgress and the 2 witnesses had been mistaken in regards to the incident, denying that it ever occurred.

Her trial is now anticipated to renew March 18 in Strathmore.

mrodriguez@postmedia.com

X: @MichaelRdrguez

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