A group of Columbia Shuswap Regional District directors are backing a bid to allow their spouses to attend banquet dinners on the taxpayers’ tab.
A CSRD policy that was put to bed last summer was hauled out again at the March 2nd Electoral Area Directors (EAD) meeting, with a majority of the directors agreeing to reverse the previous decision and bring the issue back for the approval of the entire board at the upcoming March meeting.
Adopted in 1981, the Travel and Expense Reimbursement Policy that affects staff and the board had never been amended. This had raised concerns about what expenses were being claimed. As well, there was a lack of consistency in how expense claims were being processed.
The new policy included limits on per diems, meal expenses, travel arrangements and partner programs and was taken to the board in August where it was approved unanimously – without debate.
But Area A Rural Revelstoke director and newly minted chair of the EAD Committee, Loni Parker, brought the policy back last week.
As she had last summer, Parker pointed out that spouses are adjuncts to the director, do work on their behalf and deserve recognition. Parker made clear she was not asking for taxpayers to cover travel or meal costs – only banquets and reception dinners.
“I think it’s important because our spouses are a part of what we do; when they come and give us support at conventions, it would be appropriate for spouses not to pay for dinner,” she said. “I know myself when my husband comes with me, he’s out there talking to people that I don’t get to because I am inside.”
As well, Parker said spouses “take the heat” for their political partners in there own communities.
“It’s a nice recognition not to have to pay for their dinner,” she said, asking for the benefit for banquets and receptions at official functions such as the Union of British Columbia Municipalities (UBCM), Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM), the Southern Interior Local Government Association (SILGA) and the Association of Kootenay Boundary Local Government (AKBLG).
“I support the amendment but I think, personally, my wife is not coming, it’s just easier,” said Area F North Shuswap director Larry Morgan, who was one of the most offended by policy changes because of the amount of work his wife was putting in on his behalf.
“My spouse has come to very few things, but I can understand about the dinner and receptions; you’re not going to leave your spouse in the hotel room,” said Area E Rural director Rhona Martin, making the motion to allow spouses to attend the dinners and receptions at UBCM, FCM, AKBLG and SILGA. “In the past, spouses did attend; there’s a change in how people look at that now, but I think you have to realize a spouse of a political person does do some work and this is a little recognition of their support for the elected official.”
Area C South Shuswap director Paul Demenok was adamantly opposed.
“I don’t think it’s appropriate at a convention that’s off CSRD property; it opens the door to way too much negativity…” he said. “Having said that, I do agree spouses do spend time working for us and I think we should find another way to give them recognition on a less grandiose scale.”
Demenok asked staff if they had investigated whether other regional districts cover the dinners and was advised that in B.C., seven do and 25 do not.
Demenok and Talbot voted against the motion.
The amendment will be taken to the March board meeting for approval.