MOOSE JAW — City council spent more than $3,100 during the first six months of 2025, with Coun. Carla Delaurier’s expenses comprising over 75 per cent of the money that the seven-member body expended.
City administration presented a report during the July 14 executive committee meeting that looked at the discretionary expenses of the mayor and councillors from Jan. 1 to June 30. These expenses include eligible items such as business-related travel, professional development and community engagement.
The appropriate documentation accompanied all the expenses, with city administration finding that everything complied with the policy guidelines, the report said.
“The implementation of this (Mayor and Councillor Expense) Policy has enhanced financial oversight, standardized expense management and reinforced the values of integrity and accountability among elected officials,” the document stated.
“This reporting reflects the city’s ongoing commitment to transparency and responsible use of public funds.”
The municipality’s remuneration bylaw has set discretionary expense appropriations at $3,000 annually for each councillor and $10,000 for the mayor.
The policy shows that ineligible expenses include alcohol, tobacco or other “contraband”; expenses incurred that promote for-profit organizations, third parties, other levels of government, political parties or candidates during election campaigns; theatre, sporting events, concerts, movies, or live music; or gifts for council members, city staff or employees of other municipal agencies, boards, commissions or special-purpose bodies.
Other ineligible expenses include professional fees, professional memberships or insurance charges; training that is unrelated to city business; traffic or parking tickets; physical fitness, sports, or arts programs; clothing rentals; or using consultants or external legal services.
The policy added that the city manager is responsible for monitoring and ensuring that council members comply with the document and will take “appropriate corrective actions when required.” Also, the city manager will review each expense submission and verify that members incurred the expenses during city-related business.
Mayor’s expenses
The report showed that Mayor James Murdock spent $585.95 to attend the Western Canada Economic Forum Conference in January, $42.40 to virtually attend the Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association’s (SUMA) summit conference in February, $25 to attend the Saskatchewan Assessment Management Agency’s annual general meeting in March and $20 to attend a K+S Potash breakfast in May.
The mayor’s expenses totalled $673.35
Councillors’ expenses
Coun. Delaurier spent $55.12 to purchase business cards from Minuteman Press in January, $583 to attend the 2025 SUMA convention in January, $106 to attend SUMA’s municipal leaders’ roles and responsibilities workshop in January, $42.40 to attend SUMA’s virtual summit in February, claimed $584.40 in SUMA convention per diems in April and $1,033.11 on SUMA convention reimbursements for hotel room, meals and parking in April.
The first-term councillor’s total expenses were $2,404.03.
Councillors Patrick Boyle and Heather Eby each spent $55.12 to purchase business cards from Minuteman Press in January.
Councillors Jamey Logan, Chris Warren and Dawn Luhning did not spend anything during the first six months of the year.
Therefore, the seven-member body spent a total of $3,187.27 during the first six months of 2025, the report shows.
During the meeting, administration said that for those councillors who did not submit expenses, the reasons could include the timing of their activities or their goal to submit their receipts later in the year.
The next executive committee meeting is Monday, July 28.
