Executive Summary

Harrison’s Delegation Bylaw 1041 (2013) gives staff wide authority to make operational decisions, sign agreements, and pursue applications without Council voting on each action.

Bylaw-1041---Delegation-of-Powers…

This includes purchasing goods and services, entering agreements, signing grant applications and funding agreements, and handling utility related agreements and applications.

The bylaw also allows staff to spend up to 50 percent of the budget before the annual financial plan is even adopted.

Council approval is mainly triggered when a transaction creates liability beyond 5 years, or involves disposal of Village property.

Delegation itself is not the problem. The problem is the lack of consistent public reporting on decisions made under delegated authority. This creates a transparency gap where residents cannot easily see what was signed, submitted, withdrawn, delayed, or decided, and whether Council was informed.

This is a major reason residents are forced to use FOI to obtain basic records and timelines.

The solution is simple: proactive disclosure and routine public reporting of contracts, grants, consulting scopes, and major applications handled under delegated authority.