Senate hopeful, and Devonport mayor, Steve Martin says his $17,120 spend on his council credit card funded food and drinks for charitable events, which was reimbursed by the council.
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Alderman Martin’s spending on the publicly funded credit card was $10,000 above the next highest spending mayor, Dorset’s Greg Howard.
The Auditor-General found that council general managers, with credit cards, spent $413,000 on goods and services in 2016.
Most expenditure was for accommodation ($85,500), meals ($8100) and flights ($59,300)
There was $7300 was expended on farewell and Christmas functions in seven councils, $3300 on fuel, and the Glamorgan Spring Bay general manager used his card to pay for four parking fines.
The Brighton Council general manager paid off seven parking fines with his card.
For the elected members who submitted credit card details to the Auditor-General, the results show $39,810 was spent.
Close to half of that was accounted for by one mayor.
Alderman Martin spent $17,120 over 105 transactions on a card with the largest single purchase was $1620.
Auditor-General Rod Whitehead noted in his report inadequate supporting documentation and descriptions of purchases was provided by the Devonport City Council.
Alderman Martin said the high spend was due to catering costs for two charitable events he oversaw as part of his role. He said the money spent on these events was reimbursed to the council onto the credit card but this had not been noted in the report.