The City of Chestermere is seeking to recover taxpayer money improperly spent by its ousted mayor and councillors over the past two years, following a province-ordered financial probe. Deloitte’s investigation revealed unauthorized expenditures, including $53,000 on the former mayor’s city-issued credit card and a $120,000 purchase of American trolley buses that never arrived.
The previous governance issues led to the dismissal of Mayor Jeff Colvin, three councillors, and three officials in December 2023. The city now plans to pursue legal avenues to reclaim these funds.
An upcoming byelection on June 24 will fill six vacant seats on the seven-member council. Coun. Shannon Dean has resigned to run for mayor, and the remaining nominations are open until May 27. Former officials, including Colvin, are expected to run again despite their legal challenges against their dismissals.
Source: