Jorge Barrera
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Aug 31/01) - City bureaucrats have too much leeway on spending and end up dictating priorities, said a city councillor who wants tighter control.

"I'm not confident in administration's priorities," said Coun. Robert Hawkins.

"Administration comes back and says this was your priority and at times I don't feel that's the case," said Hawkins.

Hawkins' beef rose from a recent confidential update on spending which earmarked $180,000 for the purchase of a street sweeper, a $40,000 increase from the budgeted amount.

"I want to pull that purchase," said Hawkins.

Hawkins met with the city's mayor and top bureaucrats on Wednesday for two hours.

Hawkins, who based his concerns on a budget draft which accounted for some differences in numbers, said he came away feeling administration didn't want him to step on their turf.

"When you're told its not part of your job (to comb through numbers), it's a problem," said Hawkins. "It's important for politicians to be part of the equation."

Max Hall, senior city administrator, said it was not his place to judge a councillor's opinion. But he said the city's bureaucracy marches to the beat of the council drum.

"We're here to serve council," said Hall. "If council believes we should be more open then we should be more open."

Hall said he hadn't seen anything about a street sweeper.

Mayor Gord Van Tighem said Wednesday's meeting was a learning exercise for Hawkins. Van Tighem said there was nothing irregular about the updated numbers.

"There's no expose," said Van Tighem.

The mayor said councillors and bureaucrats had two different roles to play.

Council set the budget framework for adminstration to work within.

"And they address things back and forth," said Van Tighem.

The city's top bureaucrats can move up to $250,000 in the budget without consulting council. Departments can move up to $40,000.

"That's why you hire administrators," said Van Tighem.

Coun. Dave McCann said he would like to lower the $250,000 limit and supported Hawkins in his call for more accountability by bureaucrats to the public and public officials.