Robin Kurpjuweit was happy with the discussion of two motions he put forward to council to increase transparency. (Kevin Kyle/CHAT News)

By Jesse Gill

Cypress County councillor finds some progress on transparency effort

May 7, 2024 | 6:27 PM

Efforts by a Cypress County councillor to bring more transparency and accountability to council saw some progress during Tuesday’s public meeting.

Coun. Robin Kurpjuweit proposed a pair of items after his motion that council request Alberta’s ministry of municipal affairs failed last month.

His proposal to have recorded votes that would keep a record of how members of council voted on a public item didn’t have the full support of council.

The City of Medicine Hat, Red Deer County and Coaldale are among municipalities that have recorded votes. Calgary, Redcliff and County of Forty Mile are among those that do not.

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Those in favour say a recorded vote allows citizens to see how their representatives stand on key issues.

Those against say the use of recorded votes serves to highlight area of disagreement.

Instead of a recorded vote, council said they would support showing the electronic votes during the streamed meetings.

Kurpjuweit said its a compromise that still reaches the goal of transparency.

“I think that this serves a purpose as well, and it utilizes technology and those who are participating outside of chambers, gives them the opportunity to see how their representatives are voting,” Kurpjuweit said.

“Then they can actually follow up with them and chat with them and be more engaged and informed.”

That item is expected to return at the next council meeting on May 22.

The councillor also proposed the creation of an audit committee to increase financial oversight.

Kurpjuweit said he wants to make sure policies and bylaws are being followed and that the ones that are being put in place are well executed.

County council decided to push the item forward to a later meeting.

Reeve Dan Hamilton said some additional staff input will be put into this motion.

“There’s so many different ways to go with that committee as a whole, or that committee, so I think there’s lots of great discussion on it,” Hamilton said.

“Staff has an idea where we want to go with it, so they’re gonna mow it over and put something together and bring it back, and then we can make a policy for that.”

Kurpjuweit feels that when the finance audit committee motion comes back to council in July, it will be in-line with what he was hoping to bring forward.