Wide discretion for Kingston’s new ad hoc admin body

BY NANCY KELLY

Kings County Register

Kingston is one step closer to revamping the way it conducts business, with terms of reference ready for a new policy and finance committee.

At their December meeting, commissioners approved a motion to create the new committee, which will “assist the commission in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities under the Municipal Government Act.”

Activities of the proposed committee will include budget development and financial planning, tender and RFP evaluation and awarding and the creation and monitoring of village policies. The committee will also oversee the village auditor and review all systems of internal controls established by staff and commissioners.

The terms of reference call for two commissioners and the village clerk to sit on the committee, which will meet on an ad-hoc basis at least six times per year. The committee would have the discretion to invite other commission members and outside parties to assist in discussion and consideration of the business of the committee.

The terms of reference do not include a mechanism for public participation or advertising committee meetings.

Kingston’s clerk-treasurer, Greg Towne, admits the issue is a bit of a “catch-22.” Via email, Towne explained “the terms of reference would not include something such as meeting notification - this is something that would be under the village's meeting policy. “However, the village does not have a meeting policy, that's one of the things I need the policy and finance committee to look at. At this point, it would be the responsibility of the committee chair to establish (a process) in the absence of a policy.”

Until that happens, Towne recommends meeting times be posted on the village website or in the office.

Recently sworn-in commissioners Doug Beaman and Brad Beardsley have volunteered for the committee. Towne will present a second draft of the terms of reference at the commission’s Feb. 11 meeting.