City of Dryden outlines legal costs so far in 2025

The City of Dryden has spent almost $350,000 so far in legal fees in 2025.

Chief Administrative Officer Roger Nesbitt presented the city’s legal costs to council.

He adds that council is responsible for the lion’s share of the legal fees.

“We see over $248,000 in legal fees,” Nesbitt pointed out in his report to city council Monday night.

“Now, these are attributed to external council, employment law, workplace investigations, judicial review response, Integrity Commissioner services.”

Nesbitt adds that other departments also had to pay legal fees.

“The administration department has seen a year to date just under $74,000. Again, those areas that contribute to those costs are for environmental, council, contract law, contract defense litigation and real estate transaction services.”

There was also $19,000 for Human Resources, and $17,000 for Building and Planning.

Councillor Bryan Tardiff is upset the city can’t recoup some of the costs of the Integrity Commissioner and instead has to pay the whole expense, even when councillors are exonerated.