KINGSTON – A city councillor cleared by the integrity commissioner of conflict of interest allegations is calling out nuisance complaints as a waste of tax dollars.

Williamsville District Coun. Jim Neill was cleared of allegations that he violated either the city’s code of conduct or the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act.

While he said he supports the role of the integrity commissioner and the rules surrounding conflict of interest, Neill took the opportunity to express his concerns about the process.

“There is a certain frustration when a councillor ends up on two or three occasions having the same complaint and having the same remedy suggested by council and the integrity commissioner,” Neill said. “People should realize that the legal costs and the integrity commissioner costs are taxpayer dollars.”

An integrity commissioner’s investigation and report costs more than $2,000 to complete.

In May, the city received a formal complaint of conflict of interest from a developer against Neill related to his opposition to a proposed development at 495-513 Frontenac St. The complaint alleged that he was in conflict because he lives at 515 Frontenac St., adjacent to the property, although his opposition to the development came while he was living on Princess Street.

Neill said the complaint was an attempt to prevent a duly elected city councillor from voting on issues, particularly in their home district.

While it likely pained him to quote United States President Donald Trump, Neill said the integrity commissioner’s report to council “totally exonerated” him.

Sydenham District Coun. Peter Stroud, himself the subject of a complaint to the integrity commissioner during the last term of council, said that repeated unfounded complaints are “very concerning.”

“It is bullying behaviour, in my opinion,” Stroud said. “Anyone can walk in and do this.

‘It can happen to anyone, and if you are in this business long enough it will happen to you. We are out there and we don’t have much protection.”