Report on Kingston taxi commission uncovers more red ink

A forensic audit is being recommended after debt totaling $400,000 was discovered.

A pair of Kingston City Councillors are hoping to get to the bottom of the finances at the Kingston Area Taxi and Licencing Commission after the City released another scathing report.

The report that will be delivered to Council on Tuesday revealed that there is around $400,000 in outstanding debt that needs to be settle. That includes $262,000 from a human rights lawsuit, up to $40,000 in unpaid payroll taxes to the Canada Revenue Agency, and $167,000 on consultant and legal fees.

There is also the Accessible Taxi Program which was $230,000 in the red according to a previous staff report. The latest report recommends Council approve funding to cover the debts as well as the cost of a forensic audit.

Councillor Brandon Tozzo says while none of news of mismanagement by KATLC surprises him, it does make him wonder what else will they will uncover.

Councillor and Chair of KATLC Gregory Ridge says once the new board was installed last November, what they had found was much worse than they had expected.

Ridge and Tozzo have both been vocal about their criticism of the taxi commission and have led the charge to have a forensic audit done by independent auditors.

Tozzo says this is a clear breach of public trust and it could lead to serious ramifications.

Tozzo says a forensic audit should not affect the taxi companies that are under the umbrella of KATLC in their operations.

He says this is the first step in regaining public trust in the taxi commission.

Council voted to dissolve KATLC last August over its lack of financial transparency. The City will officially take over the licensing and oversight of taxi services starting this September.

Story by Ken Hashizume