Sarnia's mayor would like to see the proposed extension of the integrity commissioner's agreement deferred to the new city council to be elected this October.
A recommendation from the city clerk to extend Robert Swayze's contract, set to expire in June, to March 1, 2019 is on council's Monday agenda.
Despite being the subject of investigations and being assessed penalties this past term, Mike Bradley says he believes in the integrity commissioner process which he initially brought to council.
However, he feels many issues should be reviewed during the next term of council, noting the new municipal act says a commissioner can't launch an investigation during the election period anyway.
"One of the things they need to do is perhaps the county integrity commissioner could be the commissioner for all of the municipalities of Lambton County," says Bradley. "Secondly, I think they need to review the code of conduct. The code of conduct in Sarnia stifles free speech and it takes away from what should be a vigorous debating process either in the council chamber or outside of the council chamber, and that is within the control of council."
Mayor Bradley also says full disclosure of the bills submitted by integrity commissioners across the province is needed, and their findings should be subject to appeal.
Swayze's Sarnia bill in 2017, including his $280 hourly rate plus retainer, amounted to nearly $20,000.
He investigated four complaints and provided advice to staff, administration, councillors and the public.