Pay raise on the table for council

UPDATE Nov 26: Cost of living increase approved.

UPDATE: Approved following discussion that included wanting to see comparison to neighbouring municipalities; raising mayor’s wage but not councillors; donating wages if they’re not needed and the need to have a good wage to attract and retain younger, more diverse councillors in the future.

It was noted the remuneration is valuable as it is difficult to keep a full time job as well as keeping up with council duties.

It was also noted council’s desire to find at least 10 per cent reductions for the next budget do not include recommendations to staff to reduce anybody’s wages, but to find efficiences.

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Councillors will consider raising their pay at Thursday’s Committee of the Whole meeting.

Policy regarding remuneration allows for an increase equal to the Consumer Price Index which has gone up just under two per cent.

If approved at the next council meeting, the mayor’s position will be paid $49,229 and councillors would receive $24,615. Committee chairs would gain $1,698 while a committee meeting chair honorarium rises to $138.

The current kilometer rate of .50 cents for council and staff was last adjusted in 2013 and is recommended it remain unchanged.

The estimated impact on the increase for the 2020 budget is $7,005 (1.934 per cent) over the 2019 budget.