While empty rec centres and other unexpected costs are buffeting the Sunshine Coast Regional District’s bottom line, one silver lining popped up during a review of directors’ travel expenses for 2020.
Directors have spent $6,620 on travel as of June 30, compared with $24,163 during the same period last year.
“I guess COVID is saving us some money,” said Elphinstone director Donna McMahon, who made the comparison during a July 30 committee meeting.
Approximately $36,000 is budgeted annually to cover mileage, meals, hotel and other expenses for directors travelling on SCRD business.
During discussion, directors questioned whether COVID-19 costs to work from home should be included as expenses.
An additional $20,300 is budgeted for constituency expenses, to cover the costs of running an elected official office. So far directors have spent $3,023 – about the same as in 2019.
West Howe Sound director Mark Hiltz, who raised the question, noted the elected official office he’s now running has gone digital, and problems have arisen for directors because of that, such as poor microphone quality during meetings held through video communications platforms. “I’m struggling a little bit here,” he said.
Chair Lori Pratt asked whether a portion of home Internet and cellphone costs could be covered, while Roberts Creek director Andreas Tize asked about laptops.
Sechelt director Darnelda Siegers asked staff to supply the information in a “lunch and learn,” which will not be open to the public, and chief financial officer Tina Perreault said staff plan to explore options through the Canada Revenue Agency.
