Minto council will consider including a two per cent cost of living increase for staff and council members in the 2015 budget.
At the Dec. 16 meeting, council supported a motion “to consider a two per cent pay grid increase subject to the 2015 budget,” based on a recommendation from CAO Bill White.
White noted staff last received a cost of living increase in 2012.
“My recommendation is you consider a two per cent increase (for staff) subject to the 2015 budget,” said White.
However, he noted, under the council remuneration section of the town’s compensation bylaw, “Unless you stipulate otherwise, that also applies to you.”
Council’s remuneration bylaw was revamped in September, after a lengthy review involving comparisons with other area councils, resulting in base salary increases of 24 per cent for councillors and 35% for the mayor.
At the same time, the new bylaw clarified and limited the type of activities for which per diem claims are paid. The new bylaw states council base salary covers attendance at grand openings and ceremonial functions, as well as preparatory work for meetings, site visits, chamber of commerce events, informal or formal meetings with staff, interactions with the public and any other duties not specifically identified.
White stated in a written report that the new council compensation bylaw “will result in lower remuneration costs than in previous years.”
The report also notes each one per cent increase in payroll adds about $22,000 to the town’s budget.
Councillor Mary Lou Colwell said she favoured the increase for staff, but not for council.
“I’m for the cost of living increase – we didn’t do one last year … I’m not for council (getting a raise) being as we just went through this increase,” she said.
“I agree with councillor Colwell,” said councillor Dave Turton.
Deputy mayor Ron Faulkner felt council should get the increase.
“Only because we went through that review. We set a standard and if we start breaking that standard we’re going to be right back where we were to start with,” he explained.
Councillor Ron Elliott also favoured the raise for council.
“One of the hardest things to do is give yourself a raise … it’s one of the most difficult things I ever deal with as a councillor because it’s easy to talk to the public and say I shouldn’t get a raise, but eventually, you fall behind and how do you get caught up unless you give yourself a big raise?
“Then you look bad in the public’s eyes. Two per cent of nothing is nothing,” said Elliott.
Councillors are currently paid an annual base salary of $10,500, the deputy mayor receives $12,500 and the mayor receives $15,500. All council members are paid $50 for attendance at regular council meetings and receive $85 for up to four hours and $150 for more than four hours when attending committee meetings, conferences or educational sessions.
“I would agree that this a policy that’s been set,” said councillor Judy Dirksen, who favoured going ahead with the increase. Dirksen said the increase last fall, “Had the perception of being large.
“I understand that it’s not, but it’s hard to explain,’ she added.
Councillor Jean Anderson said, “I think we’re better to stick with the policy that’s been developed. If it’s fair for the staff, then it’s fair for the council.”
Colwell indicated she wasn’t adamant about declining the increase.
“We are talking very few dollars here. For a councillor you’re talking less than $200 a year,” she noted.
Mayor George Bridge said the September increase seemed substantial, but was needed because years of holding the line on salaries had left Minto council with the lowest base rate in the county.
“Perceptionally it looked like a massive increase, but there hadn’t been anything in place since 2007,” said Bridge.
“So I think that we have to follow through with this if we feel we have it in the budget, and remember, this is reflected through budget.
“I don’t want to go back to where there has to be a 30% increase.”
The resolution to include council in the cost of living increase was approved unanimously.
The resolution also contains a provision that the cost of living increase would not apply to any employee not moving up within the pay grid for their job due to performance reasons.
