Wellington North council rejected a suggestion by Mayor Ray Tout to change its finance and administration committee chair from councillor Andy Lennox to councillor Mark Goetz, opting instead for the status quo.
The mayor told council, in his opinion, the switch would mean each individual councillor would be included in a new committee structure and sit as chairperson of one of the remaining four committees.
“My main concern is every councillor has a committee chair,” the mayor told council at its Jan. 13 meeting.
Tout also suggested councillor Lennox would head up public works, councillor Dan Yake, economic development and councillor Sherry Burke, recreation and culture.
Lennox has been the finance chairman since he was first elected to council in 2010 and has garnered a reputation for belt-tightening proposals to trim the township budget and curb spending.
“I would prefer to remain as chair of finance,” Lennox told councillors, who agreed he should remain.
“I see improvements through the budget that councillor Lennox has made,” Burke said. “It’s easier for the public to understand.”
Lennox will remain as finance chair, while Goetz takes over public works, Yake, economic development and Burke, recreation.
No co-chairs were named for the committees. That decision will be left up to the various committee chairs should they not be able to attend a meeting.
“I think we can leave it in the hands of the chair to establish their alternate,” CAO Mike Givens said.
In a related matter, council approved the remuneration it will be paid for this year, including $18,659 for the mayor and $12,689 for councillors. It’s the same pay level the current council agreed to freeze in 2010.
Per diem rates for meetings outside the township remain at $150 for a full day meeting and $75 for shorter meetings. Mileage for meetings outside of Wellington North is set at 50 cents per kilometre and the mayor and council will be paid $800 for mileage incurred throughout the year for work within the township.
