We still don’t know its contents, but at least we know how much it cost.
The City of Trail spent over $117,000 on a code of conduct investigation that resulted in the censure of mayor Colleen Jones.
In response to Vista Radio’s request for a copy of the investigator’s report, the city replied that it is withholding the entire 118-page document under sections of the Freedom of Information Act around legal advice, policy advice, and disclosure harmful to personal privacy. We’ve appealed that decision to the Information and Privacy Commissioner.
However, the city did reveal the cost of the investigation was $89,628 and that it spent another $28,040 on legal fees associated with the censure and sanction process.
In June, the city announced Jones had been censured by her council for conduct “unbecoming a member of city council” toward a city employee that took place before she was elected to her current position.
The city says a third-party investigator found Jones violated the code three times prior to last fall’s municipal election. Jones said the complaint was filed more than 15 months ago, which would have placed it around March 2022 while she was serving as a councillor.
The report found Jones’ conduct “showed a lack of consideration for an employee and … did not promote public confidence.” The specific actions and dates they occurred were not revealed and the employee was not named. Nor is it known if the employee still works for the city.
Jones publicly apologized for her conduct and said she also apologized to council and the person affected.