$38K bill for Hamilton council inauguration

The bill to ring in Hamilton's new city council during an evening inaugural meeting at the downtown convention centre last month was $38,116.

That's about three times as much as 2018's swearing-in ceremony at city hall.

But the extra pomp was on point, says Mayor Andrea Horwath.

How exciting that is and how symbolic it is really to invite the community in to celebrate the swearing-in of the people that got elected. I thought it was right thing to do."

The plan had been to hold a morning swearing-in ceremony at city hall.

But that wouldn't have allowed many people who work daytime hours to witness the historic moment," Horwath says.

Including the former Ontario NDP leader, the Oct. 24 municipal election ushered in a changeover of 10 representatives to sit around the 16-seat city hall horseshoe.

It also marked the first time in Hamilton's political history that a woman was elected mayor.

Moreover, Horwath says, the evening format and convention centre echoed her campaign theme of accessibility, openness and engaging the public."

A piper with the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders led the newly elected candidates to a stage adorned with flowers.

A representative of Six Nations, elected Chief Mark Hill, gave opening and closing remarks. Members of the Hamilton Children's Choir sang the national anthem.

Spirit Bear Drummers sent the crowd of about 500 on their way.

Here's how the $38,116 tab breaks down:

• Welcoming and closing ceremonies: $1,500

• Hors d'oeuvres and soft drinks for 350: $11,545

• Convention centre rental fee: $5,762

• Audio/video equipment: $5,763

• Cable 14 close captioning and YouTube broadcast: $3,390

• Teleprompter: $225

• Piper: $200

• Plants: $2,000

• Jazz band: $1,000

• Invitations/programs: $377

• National anthem: $300

• Boutonnieres: $542

• Paid-duty police officers: $2, 892

• Photography: $2, 620

Horwath says she's really grateful" to staff who pulled off the change in plans in short order. It was a lot of work."

The cost of the 2018 inaugural meeting at city hall was $11,418, which considering inflation, would be about $13,000 in 2022 dollars, finance staff say.

For transparency's sake, Coun. Cameron Kroetsch, newly elected to Ward 2, notes he asked staff for the Nov. 16 event's costs and shared it via Twitter.

Teviah Moro is a reporter at The Spectator. tmoro@thespec.com