City Officials Golf On Public Dime - City Manager Says Expense Justified
CITY MANAGER SAYS ATTENDING GOLF TOURNAMENTS IS A GREAT WAY TO NETWORK WITH BUSINESS BUT THE PRACTICE IS NOW UNDER REVIEW
First in a series looking into City expense accounts
By Robert Thomas
City officials have been hitting the links paid for by the public purse.
But city manager Maryse Carmichael says the expenses are justified to help build positive relationships for the City but at the same time the issue is actively under review.
Carmichael was responding to questions from MJ Independent regarding documents obtained through a Freedom of Information (FOI) request probing into expenses claimed by elected officials.
“I fully support efforts to develop stronger relationships with our business community. However, it is fair to ask if golf tournaments are the most effective way to achieve a sufficient level of engagement,” Carmichael wrote in an email response to a series of questions about the practice.
MJ Independent was asking questions regarding a $650 golf tournament invoice that turned up as part of the FOI.
The $650 fee was the cost to attend an annual charity tournament sponsored by Burns and McDonnell - a major contractor at the Great Plains Power Station.
Burns and McDonnell are contracted to SaskPower and not the City of Moose Jaw.
A COPY OF THE $650 INVOICE THE CITY PAID TO ATTEND AND PLAY IN A CHARITY GOLF TOURNAMENT - SOURCE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION REQUEST
Carmichael said she participated in the 2023 golf tournament - the only tournament she played in paid by the City - the tournament allowed City officials to make connections with contractors involved in the Great Plains Power Station Project.
“I did participate in the Burns & McDonnell golf tournament in 2023, which was an opportunity for us to create and maintain relationships with Burns & McDonnell, in addition to the contractors involved in constructing the Great Plains Power Station, the largest development in Moose Jaw’s history. All this, while supporting an important cause,” she wrote.
The Burns and McDonnell charity golf tournament was not the only golf tournament where City officials participated.
“The City has participated in the Moose Jaw & District Chamber of Commerce annual golf tournament for many years, and in 2023, the Mayor and a member of the then-Economic Development team participated in the Moose Jaw Construction Association’s golf tournament.”
Despite claiming the golf tournaments are beneficial to create and maintain relationships Carmichael said the practice is under review, as part of the upcoming 2025 budget, to see if the practice is a good value.
“Planning for the 2025 Budget is underway, and how and why we allocate funds associated with business relationships and growth is being considered carefully,” Carmichael wrote.
She wrote Administration was well aware of the economic challenges facing residents and budgeted accordingly.
“Inflationary pressures are an unfortunate reality for our residents, and negatively impact the scope of the programs and services the City is able to provide. We owe it to Moose Javians to be as efficient as possible with our time and ensure that money is invested with an eye on positive, tangible outcomes that will grow our community.”
Written questions to Mayor Clive Tolley - whose expense account the Burns and McDonnell charity golf tournament was charged to - did not respond by publication time.
The Raw Questions and Response
