Mayor Looking Into Councillor Budgets After Spending Concerns Raised

They decide how to spend your money – and according to two frugal city councillors those decisions made by their colleagues are at times questionable.

Now the rules over what Toronto politicians spend their annual $53,000 office budgets on is being reviewed. Rob Ford and Doug Holyday, who traditionally spend less than their colleagues, have called for random audits on how those taxpayer dollars are spent.

Among the apparent purchases by councillors: a bunny suit, wine, a cappuccino maker, Christmas cards and artwork for office walls.

Now Mayor David Miller has asked for a report from the city clerk, who approves office expenditures, on how to improve budget policy.

“I think (the rules) are clear,” Miller said. “I think it’s a matter of common sense but the clerk advises they’ve been amended so many times since amalgamation that we need some new rules. She’ll be reporting in the spring.”

Councillors are already required to hand in receipts for expenses and a report of those purchases is made public every three months.

Given the city’s cash crunch and recent tax increases – including the new land transfer tax and new vehicle registration tax – any questionable expenditures are being heavily scrutinized.