It looks like Wellington North councillors were slightly above spending projections for 2008 as the results of their salaries and expenses were brought to council on Monday night.
One could consider it a bit of a balancing act in looking at the overall expenses.
Councillor salaries (including the per meeting payment) is at $100,797 – $108,500 was budgeted.
Overall mileage was down as well, with claims of only $3,800 compared to a budget for $5,000.
However, convention expenses were up $800, with claimed convention costs of $10,286 in a $10,000 budget.
Last year, over $112,000 was spent on the five-member council in Wellington North.
For 2008, those costs rose to $115,420.
This year’s report caused little discussion by councillors.
Conventions and courses taken by councillors this year included: the Ontario Good Roads Association (OGRA), American Water Works Association (AWWA), and the Association of Municipal Clerks and Treasurers Association (AMCTO),
Councillors’ pay includes a base salary, meeting per diem payments, mileage, and conventions and workshops.
For Mayor Mike Broom head that amounted to a base salary of $15,912, $15,525 for attending council and committee meetings, $781 for mileage and conventions, and workshops costing $1,545 (OGRA). Those figures do not include his pay for being a county councillor.
– Councillor Ross Chaulk, base salary of $10,608 plus a $5,700 per diem, $714 for mileage, and conventions and workshops at $305 (AMCTO course).
– Councillor Bob Mason, base salary of $10,608, plus a $8,475 per diem, $876 for mileage, and conventions and workshops at $1,221 (OGRA).
– Councillor John Matusinec, base salary of $10,608 plus a $3,300 per diem, $714 for mileage, and conventions and workshops at $1,136 (OGRA), and $2,597 (AWWA).
Councillor Dan Yake – base salary of $10,608 plus a $9,450 per diem, $714 for mileage, and conventions and workshops at $1,313 (OGRA) and $2,707 (AWWA).
A look at the 2007 expenses can be found on the Wellington Advertiser website at http://www.wellingtonadvertiser.com/index.cfm?page=detail&itmno=716 or search for the headline Over $112,000 spent on five-member council in Wellington North.
