WindsorEssex Economic Development Corporation may give unspent $2 million back, Bain says
One of the WindsorEssex Economic Development Corporation's board members said it's possible municipalities may get back some of the money left unspent by the group last year.
The economic development agency left $2 million sitting in the bank in 2015, according to Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens.
"The board's looked at it now and has decided that we can give a portion of that back," said Tom Bain, the mayor of Lakeshore and WEEDC board member.
Bain told CBC News he was surprised that much money was available, but it was largely because of open positions and staff turnover.
"I mean, it wasn't that we were just sitting on it and not using it. [The money] was being used," he said. "There were positions there that should have been filled but weren't filled . So that money just continued to build."
There were four vacant positions that were left unfilled this year, Bain said, adding Dilkens should have known about the funds since he sits on the WEEDC board as well.
Bain said the money was available to try and convince businesses to set up shop in the region.
Ward 9 Coun. Hilary Payne has been an outspoken critic of some of the economic development corporation's practices. He's calling for more municipal oversight for external corporations like the development corporation and for possibly an auditor to go through the books and report to council.
"I've been in the business of municipal government for more than 40 years," said Payne. "I've never seen anything like this before."
He described the unspent funds as a "supreme example" of a city-run entity not reporting to council.
"We on council should be informed on how taxpayers' money is spent and we certainly weren't informed in this case," he said.
The WEEDC board still has to vote on how much money would go back to the city. There is a meeting scheduled for Dec. 11.
