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LETTER: It’s a simple accounting matter

After reading the article I am puzzled at the fussing about how to provide this information to taxpayers.
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Re: “RDCK debates local purchasing,” West Kootenay Advertiser, June 26

After reading the article I am puzzled at the fussing about how to provide this information to taxpayers.

It is very simple. All accounting systems have an accounts payable vendor list with addresses and totals paid to these vendors. This can be provided monthly, quarterly, annually or even weekly by most systems.  So, give us the percentages of what you have been spending in our district and out of it along with the types of purchases tied to these expenditures.

It is agreed that not all offices can find what they need locally but what we are really asking for is an accounting of whether money is being spent locally where it can be. An overall picture for the Kootenay district can easily be compiled and presented in a format easily understood by even the least financially literate person.

Just be accountable!  Perhaps asking the RDCK to bring local purchasing to their own attention is the best beginning and, contrary to some comments, it is not blown all out of proportion. We do need to support local business down to the last penny or we will be forced to purchase out of our community if these businesses fail.

Don’t let this fade away to nothing — it is important as RDCK has a lot of our money to spend.

Kathryn Spears

Nelson