A committee of the Halifax council has urged the implementation of a strategy to enhance financial transparency in the mayor’s office and the overall municipality following an audit that flagged $111,000 in expenses incurred by Mayor Andy Fillmore.

The finance committee decided on Wednesday to task the chief administrative officer with devising corrective actions in response to the audit conducted in June, which identified four transactions within Fillmore’s office that did not adhere to municipal guidelines.

As a result of the audit findings, the regional auditor general escalated the issue to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

Fillmore refrained from participating in the committee’s deliberations on Wednesday, expressing concerns about a potential conflict of interest.

However, the endorsed motion, with amendments proposed by the mayor, expanded the plan’s scope to encompass not only his office but the entire municipality.

In a statement released on Wednesday, Fillmore acknowledged the auditor general’s conclusions, emphasizing the importance of comprehensive accountability in rectifying weaknesses and preventing future occurrences.

The timeline for implementing the reforms is set to present the plan to the council within two months.

Councilor Sam Austin expressed hope that the plan would reconsider a prior decision by the former chief administrative officer, granting increased autonomy to the mayor’s office.

The municipality’s auditor general, Andrew Atherton, shared with the committee in June that he involved the RCMP after completing the audit due to the complexity of the issues beyond his expertise to determine legality.

Regarding Fillmore’s expenses, the mayor highlighted that additional training had been provided to his staff on procurement procedures. He clarified that the questioned transactions underwent proper approval processes, including endorsement from senior officials.

Among the expenses, the most significant was a payment made for the services of a human resources consultant, initially estimated at $50,000 but ultimately totaling $90,000. The audit revealed that the contract negotiation bypassed competitive bidding requirements and implied a preference for the consultant.

Despite deviations from procurement protocols, the invoices for all four expenses, including a speechwriter’s hire for $14,000 and legal services exceeding $7,000, were deemed reasonable and appropriately authorized.

Fillmore confirmed repaying the legal fees personally, asserting they were not personal expenses.

The plan’s objective is to establish a framework that ensures consistent accountability and transparency throughout the municipality.