A recent Ontario Municipal Board hearing in Hastings Highlands cost the municipality over $45,000.
During today’s meeting, council found out about the municipality’s total expenses from November’s hearing. On top of the cost, around 150 staff hours were spent preparing for it.
Treasurer David Stewart says these were unbudgeted expenses paid for through other savings.
Mayor Vivian Bloom says everyone has a right to appeal council decisions to the OMB. Although there is a cost to it, Bloom says that shouldn’t stop anyone from exercising their democratic right.
Some residents appealed to the OMB because of a council decision to introduce municipality-wide elections, and do away with wards. Ultimately, the OMB ruled that council had the right to make the change.