Qualicum Beach town councillor Teunis Westbroek has introduced a notice of motion that, if passed, would require council approval for future town hires.
“The cost of staff is very expensive. We debate things here for a couple of thousand dollars. Adding senior staff or union staff will cost us anywhere from $75,000–100,000 and we don’t even have to discuss it,” Westbroek said during council’s Oct. 6 regular meeting.
He added he was pleased to see the current financial plan does not include a large increase in administration. “It doesn’t really allow for additional staff, but I think it’s just a matter of record that when we increase staff that it come to council for approval.”
Coun. Scott Harrison pointed out the town has been getting complaints about levels of service.
“To have council signing off on every single hire, from summer students through to high level executives, is a policy pursued by exactly zero councils in all of B.C., so I’d be very interested to see the legal ramifications of undertaking such a policy moving forward,” he said.
Council’s next regular meeting is scheduled for Oct. 27.
