Amherstburg debt now $44M; province to conduct audit

CTV Windsor: Amherstburg debt even higher Amherstburg is dealing with a $44-million debt and many financial irregularities in the town's books. Rich Garton has more.

Amherstbrug is trying to get to the bottom of a growing debt that according to the CAO has now reached $44-million.

An OPP investigation into the town’s books just wrapped up and found no criminal wrongdoing.

Now, the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing has received the go-ahead to take another look.

"I have expectation that the ministry is going to confirm much of what we've shared with council all along,” says CAO Mike Phipps. “There were some inconsistencies and unorthodox bookkeeping by what I’m accustomed to."

Phipps made the recommendation for the ministry to perform what's called a financial management and practices review, after council requested an audit back in January.

The town will pay up to $100,000 for the review, which will give the ministry unfettered access to councillors, town staff and financial records.

The ministry will also look into the use of reserve funds, and how financial information is communicated to council.