Wellington County council approved the appointment of John Maddox of London-based JGM Consulting as its new closed meeting investigator for a two-year term commencing Jan. 1.
Norm Gamble, a former municipal administrator from Grey County, has provided services to the county since 2008. He was also investigator for all lower tier municipalities in Wellington except Guelph-Eramosa. Gamble recently announced plans to retire at the end of the year.
At the Nov. 27 meeting, county council approved a report from the administration, finance and personnel (AF&P)committee including a motion to authorize hiring Maddox and inviting interested member municipalities to join a shared agreement for his services.
Maddox’s fees include an annual retainer of $1,000 for the county and $300 for each lower tier municipality, which will be covered by the county. An hourly fee of $100 plus mileage and expenses will be paid by the municipality in which any investigation is being conducted.
Gamble’s fees had included a $200 retainer and fees of $350 per day and $175 per half day, plus mileage and expenses.
“His rates are very favourable,” said AF&P committee member councillor John Green, noting Maddox has experience in the municipal sector as a former CAO and regional director with the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing.
Councillor Lou Maieron pointed out municipalities have the option of not appointing an investigator, in which case any closed meeting complaints would be investigated by the Ontario Ombudsman’s office.
Noting the Ombudsman’s office does not charge the municipality for investigations, Maieron said, “I realize we have to appoint an investigator for a term,” but he suggested the next council could consider letting the job default to the provincial body.
Warden Chris White questioned having “an appointed officer at the provincial level poking around at the municipal level … because that’s a road we don’t want to go down.”
