Union, councillors push back against idea of outside firm running City finance dept
NANAIMO — The union, the mayor and councillors are rebuking claims the City’s finance department needs training on best practices and help from an outside firm.
The reaction followed comments made by coun. Bill Bestwick days after the City’s chief financial officer was suspended over unspecified allegations.
In unchallenged comments made to a local newspaper, Bestwick suggested while he didn’t feel the province needed to step in and help the City, he would like to see a reputable financial firm come in and run the finance department on an interim basis.
“We need help, so let’s get KPMG or somebody to come in,” he was quoted as saying, adding the company could help train staff on best practices and identify errors.