The cost of paying local politicians in Minto dropped by more than $18,000 in 2013.
With remuneration rates unchanged from 2012, the difference is a result of a decrease in per diems and expenses charged by council members.
At the March 4 meeting treasurer Gord Duff provided council with a report on council remuneration and expenses.
The report, an annual requirement under the Municipal Act, shows salary and expenses paid to members of Minto council between Dec. 1, 2012 and Nov. 30, 2013 totaled $135,474 compared to $154,068 the previous year – a decrease of $18,594 or just under 12 per cent.
The decline in the cost of local government contrasts the situation the previous year, when council costs for 2012 were up by nearly 20 per cent over 2011, sparking considerable discussion and leading council to authorize a review of council expenses and the procedure for claiming them.
This year, the treasurer’s report was received by council as information without comment by council members.
The 2013 report includes a breakdown of salary and expenses paid to individual councillors.
Individual totals
Minto councillors receive a base salary of $8,400, while the base salary for the mayor is $11,440 and the deputy mayor is $9,440.
All council members are also paid $50 for each scheduled council meeting they attend, $85 for other council business up to four hours and $150 for other council business over four hours.
Other expenses and remuneration paid to council members includes registration fees and accommodations for conventions and seminars and mileage for out of town travel.
Earnings (including base pay and meeting per diems) for Minto council members in 2013 totaled $109,796 (compared to $119,820 in 2012), with expense reimbursements of $25,705 (compared to $34,248 in 2012) bringing the total to $135,574.
Individually:
– councillor Ron Elliott received earnings of $17,679 and filed expenses of $7,486 for a total of $25,166;
– Mayor George Bridge received earnings of $23,630 and submitted expenses of $284, for a total of $23,914;
– deputy mayor Terry Fisk received earnings of $17,160, plus expenses of $6,789 for a total of $22,514;
– councillor Ron Faulkner had earnings of $13,920 and expenses of $4,453, totaling $18,374;
– councillor Mary Lou Colwell received earnings of $13,080 with expenses of $3,398 for a total of $16,479;
– councillor David Turton’s earnings were $12,170, plus expenses of $2,494 for a total of $14,664; and
– councillor Rick Hembly had earnings of $12,130 and expenses of $2,230 for a total of $14,361.
