Auditor examines Springwater mayor’s spending

By Laurie Watt Barrie Advance

Grant Thornton in Orillia is auditing Springwater Mayor Bill French’s election campaign expenses.

A joint Springwater – Oro Medonte compliance audit committee decided the mayor’s expenses, which totalled $16,293.36, needed closer examination, even though they are about $6,000 below the maximum a mayoral candidate could spend.

“Based in law, it wasn’t justified,” French said of the audit.

But for the sake of transparency and he added he has no issue with the audit.

“I’m interested, because when it comes to election expenses, there are so many grey areas and I’ll be an expert.”

Filed by former deputy-mayor Dan McLean, the compliance audit request questions if French’s expense statement was complete and accurate.

For example, the statement recorded $589.91 for two months’ rent for an office in Elmvale, $1,394 for brochures and $430.64 for Internet and phone expenses.

French had a 27-page website, which would cost about $2,000 to build, McLean said, and at least another $500 to update.

“I didn’t feel all of the value he got through support by groups and individuals were reflected in his expenses,” said McLean, who added even if French got a deal on a service, he has to record the fair market value.

“I believe the number of individuals and/or organizations may have exceeded the contribution limits by providing a service in-kind or purchasing goods or services on Mr. French’s behalf,” said McLean, pointing to a lobby group and a local media outlet.

The audit request claims French received a deal on ads and benefitted from supportive letters to the editor, which other candidates were told would not run during the campaign.

French claimed he spent $5,308 on advertising but does not detail how the money was spent.

The only gifts in kind he claimed were 10 signs and 26 hats, at a value of $250.

There was no accounting or record of mileage and fuel costs during the eight months French campaigned, after he registered as a candidate on March 4, 2014, on the expenses he filed.

A chartered accountant French hired to examine the records acknowledged his firm’s opinion was “limited to the information recorded by the election candidate, Mr. French, and we were not able to determine whether any adjustments might be necessary.”

“There’s nothing of note that wasn’t declared, according to my auditor,” French added.

Depending on the result of Grant Thornton’s audit, the compliance committee can choose to litigate, said Springwater clerk John Daly, who has never dealt with a compliance audit in his 25-year career in municipal government.

If the matter goes no further, the municipality can seek costs from the person who requested the audit.

AWARE News Network report: French campaign statement sent for audit