Is Richmond County the only municipality that's 'off the rails'?

Nova Scotia's municipal affairs ministersays the Richmond County expense scandal is not indicative of a bigger problem in the province, but aresident of another rural municipality where spending has been questioned is skeptical.

"These people in government are off the rails," said Susanne Roy, who lives in Guysborough and has been critical of expenses racked up by councillors in the Municipality of the District ofGuysborough.

"There's a trust issue here and somebody has to keep on eye on what's going on with our money."

Roy does not believe such problems are limited to Richmond. She's taken a close look at expense claims in Guysboroughwhere thousands of dollars havebeen spent on alcohol, travel and extravagant meals. The ombudsman is also investigating.

Problems not widespread

Municipal Affairs Minister Zach Churchill insists the problems in Richmond County revealed bya forensic audit released this week and an earlier investigation by the provincial ombudsman are not widespread.

"What I don't want to do is have a knee-jerk reaction to this one situation," he said. "I do not think it's fair to paint all municipalities or individuals with the same brush."

Expense claims in Richmond for alcohol and political fundraisers have led to the resignation of the chief administrative officer, Warren Olsen, who himself charged $582 on his municipal credit card for two evenings at Houston adult entertainment clubs. Elections Nova Scotia and the RCMP are investigating.

'It's not just Richmond County'

Roy would like to see standard rules that prohibit expense claims for alcohol and golf. She also thinks all expenses should be posted online and that a municipal auditor general is needed to make sure policies are followed.

"It's not just Richmond County and I'm quite sure it can't just be the two of us," said Roy. If Municipal Affairs is not monitoring what's happening, she said,"what exactly are they doing?"

Churchill agrees the public posting of expenses is a good idea. He has not yet ruled out the idea of a municipal auditor general but needs more information on how such a position works in other jurisdictions.

A review of the Municipal Government Act should be completed by spring 2017.

• Richmond County CAO Warren Olsen resigns after spending scandals
• Forensic audit calls out Richmond County CAO, some councillors
• Critics question 'extravagant' spending by Guysborough councillors and staff