A higher level of accountability will soon be expected from third-party boards, committees and commissions that have an operating agreement with the City of Moose Jaw.
Such groups will soon have to provide an annual budget, a financial statement from the previous year, a budget for the upcoming year, an annual report that includes how municipal funding was used, an outline of how the objectives of the municipal grant were met, the capital maintenance completed on a group’s building, and a strategic plan.
Council will continue to appoint a council member to the board of a third party, but usually, when the municipality owns the asset, it’s managed by a third party through lease or operating agreement, the organization is aiding council to reach its strategic plan objectives, or the monetary contribution is substantial.
The municipal operating agreements with third-party groups will also be expected to reflect several expectations, including:
- That the City of Moose Jaw outlines the hierarchy of responsibility and support that the role of the municipality provides for those boards of directors, staff and/or volunteers, including committees to council;
- That third-party boards of directors use best practices for governance including confidentiality, conflict of interest, and occupational health and safety/harassment policies;
- That council members who, through the appointment process, sit on a third-party board, report in writing to the executive committee quarterly about the status of the third-party board or organization on which they serve while providing a brief summary of activity in the previous quarter.
During its Oct. 28 executive committee meeting, council voted 6-1 to accept the proposed recommendations from city administration. Coun. Brian Swanson was opposed.
The recommendations have to be approved at a future regular council meeting to be official.
The City of Moose Jaw’s third-party and associated boards, committees and commissions include:
Statutory and associated boards, committees, commissions
- Board of Police Commission
- Investment committee
- Moose Jaw Municipal Airport Authority
- Moose Jaw Public Library board
- Palliser Regional Library board
- Wakamow Valley Authority
Third-party boards, committees, commissions
- Moose Jaw Museum and Art Gallery
- Tourism Moose Jaw
- Moose Jaw Cultural Centre
- Moose Jaw Exhibition board
- Moose Jaw Humane Society
- South Central Transportation Planning committee
- South Central Regional Intersectoral committee
- Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association (SUMA)
- Moose Jaw water stewards
Leases or agreements
- Fifth Avenue Collection Ltd.
- Gymtastisks of Moose Jaw Inc.
- Cosmo Senior Citizens Centre Inc.
- Moose Jaw Ladies Slo-Pitch Inc.
“In applying the above criteria, a general observation is that there is strong evidence that maintaining most appointments to external boards continues to be appropriate,” the report from city administration said.
“The appointments form a solid basis of liaison between the city and various organizations. Two-way communication is enhanced and both sides benefit from the ongoing relationship.”
The next executive committee meeting is Tuesday, Nov. 12.
