At committee of the whole, Courtenay council approved a policy development to assign a fixed budget amount for travel and expenses to conferences, training and other events for each council member. A larger amount is to be assigned to the mayor.
The proposed budget for 2016 is $45,800. The dollar amount for councillors and Mayor Larry Jangula will be included in the policy, which will come to council in May.
Last year’s budget was $45,000, of which $32,924 was spent.
The budget from 2010 to 2012 was $25,000. In 2013, it was $35,000 and 2014 was $45,000. In 2012 and 2013, expenditures exceeded the budgeted amount.
In past years, council attendance has focused on the Union of B.C. Municipalities, the Association of Vancouver Island Coastal Communities and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities. In recent years, most councillors have been interested in attending these and other local government-related conferences or special events that relate to their role as elected officials.