EAST HANTS: Auditing services for municipalities across the province could be getting streamlined.

At the July 20 executive committee of council meeting, Director of Finance Connie Nolan told councillors in East Hants of a Union of Nova Scotia Municipalities (UNSM) resolution in response to the provincial government’s decision to create a uniformed process for audits in municipalities.

“Basically, the UNSM has forwarded a report which includes recommendations that they have established in relation to the auditor general position and how it should be set up,” said Nolan.

She said no matter how the process is undertaken, the municipality will end up footing the bill, whether it’s a board that deals with the new position, or a small provincial department.

“It doesn’t matter how it’s all done really,” she said. “Municipalities are going to end up paying for the municipal auditor general department or the auditor general fee. So, if they create an auditor general’s position with only two people, the municipalities will end up paying for the outside services.”

Nolan said she supports setting up a board with an office staff of one or two.

“I’d be a little concerned if all we have is the auditor and a support person,” she said. “Because then you’re going out to the audit firms to source the work and there’s a profit component in that. I think that would end up costing more if you outsource all of the audit services instead.”

Councillor Willy Versteeg thinks a department like this is necessary. He said he also supports having one office instead of outsourcing to different firms in different areas.

“I think for honour and integrity reasons,” he said, “if it’s one provider, single-source, the audit integrity factor is much greater.”

While Versteeg supports setting up a department to handle all of the municipalities as one, he doesn’t see outsourcing as being too much of a price difference. Actual numbers and costs aren’t known.

Nolan suggested councillors reply to the UNSM with her recommendation.

“My recommendation is to support the full service model,” she said. “With the understanding that the Municipal Auditor General’s office would not employ all the specialists that might be necessary, but would employ a base level of staff to carry out the audits.”

Council unanimously passed Nolan’s recommendation.

acameron@enfieldweeklypress.com