3 RVC councillors heading back to court in pursuit of lost wages

Three Rocky View County (RVC) councillors are heading back to court in pursuit of the 30 per cent in wages they lost while being sanctions.

Councillors Kevin Hanson, Crystal Kissel, and Samanntha Wright successfully had their sanctions lifted in July but have yet to receive the owed wages.

A demand letter was delivered to RVC CAO Al Hoggan on Nov. 10 requesting all money withheld to be repaid by Nov. 24.

The matter was eventually discussed by the county council at a closed session on Dec. 22. It resulted in a 5-4 vote calling for county administration to return with a legal opinion on the matter by the end of January.

Hanson says their patience has run out in recouping the outstanding wages that almost amount to $100,000 between the three of them.

"The fact that this is still not yet resolved is unfathomable," states Councillor Hanson. "We have been more than patient and fair throughout the process."

Div. 9 councillor Crystal Kissel says continuing to withhold the funds isn't right.

"We had hoped they [administration] would have simply paid us the monies owing, but somehow council got involved," says Kissel. "The emotional toll on us and our families has been tough enough. Council continuing to penalize us financially isn't right, especially when they [council] keep saying they want to move forward. So, back to court, we go."

On July 15, 2020, a 34-page decision by Justice James Eamon called the entire removal and compensation sanctions harsh.

Since then, the councillors have been reinstated to their committees, allowed to travel on county business, granted access to staff, and have had their full salaries reinstated.

The three filed individual claims with the provincial court on Jan. 4 for the lost wages. The county has since filed a response with the court. No court date has been set at this point.

The three councillors say defending themselves has already cost over $130,000 since the sanctions were first imposed. They are uncertain how much taxpayers have paid for the county's litigation costs.

RVC communications manager Bart Goemans says the county is unable to provide any comment as the matter is before the courts.