[1ajs]

Winnipeg Free Press - ONLINE EDITION
Auditor rejects $415 of Coun. Smith's taxi bills

By: Bartley Kives

16/06/2010 10:10 AM | Comments: 20

* Print
* E–mail
* Share This
* Report Error

Daniel McIntyre Coun. Harvey Smith has failed to demonstrate that $415 worth of taxicab rides he took in 2009 involved city business, city auditor Brian Whiteside told council's executive policy committee this morning.

Last week, the city auditor asked Smith to provide more documentation about $2,300 worth of taxi rides he was reimbursed for last year. Smith was the only councilor whose expenses were not approved by the city auditor.

This morning, Whiteside said Smith provided documentation that proved all but $415 of the trips involved city business. City council's secretariat committee, which governs council rules and regulations, must now decide whether to order Smith to pay back the cash.

Winnipeg Mayor Sam Katz said it's clear the City Clerk's office should not have reimbursed Smith for the receipts without checking to ensure the rides involved city business. The clerks will ensure this does not happen again, Katz pledged.

Smith's total transportation allowance in 2009 was $3,112 -- the sixth-lowest among 15 city councillors. The top spender on auto allowance was North Kildonan Coun. Jeff Browaty, who spent $8,726.

Councillors were allowed to spend up to $72,000 last year on executive assistants, phones, office supplies, donations to ward activities and other office-related goods and services.