Mayor Reid Hamer-Jackson (image credit - CFJC)

By Michael Reeve

Forensic Audit

Mayor Hamer-Jackson’s motion expected to ignite healthy discussion during Tuesday’s meeting

Jun 23, 2025 | 5:05 PM

KAMLOOPS — On Tuesday (June 24), Kamloops City Council will debate a three page notice of motion from Mayor Reid Hamer-Jackson, who is calling for a third-party forensic audit of all city departments and management practices.

The mayor has said his motion is in response to “growing concerns from residents regarding rapidly increasing property taxes, cost overruns and a perceived lack of transparency in municipal operations.”

But Hamer-Jackson’s motions have a habit of not making it very far, as the vast majority are never seconded by another councillor, which is required before debate can begin. Tuesday will be another test to see if the mayor can curry favour to at least have his proposal reach that stage.

“I think to be open and transparent. And this is a bold council, they talk about being bold so lets be bold and bite the bullet and lets do an audit,” said Hamer-Jackson.

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According to Hamer-Jackson’s motion, he wants a full review of financial controls and accounting practices as well as procurement procedures among others. He also wants to investigate staffing and hiring practices at city hall.

“We might find everything is good. And the reason why I’m asking for a forensic audit is because when I talked about doing an internal audit committee and the push back I got was unbelievable,” Hamer-Jackson added.

There seems – at least on the base level of the idea – to be some support around the horseshoe. While the expectation is that this motion will move forward for debate, the result, however, is far less certain.

“There is a lot to it, but really for myself I have a lot of questions,” Mike O’Reilly, the City’s Deputy Mayor for June said. “Obviously, the first we have seen of it was when mayor Hamer-Jackson gave it to us, so we do have a lot of questions, or at least I do.

“I think my colleagues will as well. But it’s certainly worthy of a wholesome discussion.”

O’Reilly did question the dollar figures of the motion, harkening back to TNRD audit of years past.

“What is the intent of where this motion is going and what kind of financial implications do we have on this?” O’Reilly said. “Obviously we know the TNRD had done one some years back to the tune of $500,000-plus. So there are these types of questions, and I would assume from all of council, to understand more the nuts and the bolts of this notice of motion.”

While the motion is not currently costed, Hamer-Jackson believes the costs will likely be recouped through found savings in the audit.

“Any normal business would go broke, they would be broke by now,” Hamer-Jackson said. “And I think our taxpayers, we need to be accountable for them, that’s why we are elected, that’s why you’re hired, so what’s the problem? You’d think they’d want it.”

Council will debate the motion on Tuesday during the regular meeting at City Hall, which is set to get underway at 1:30 p.m.