Wellington North council paid $95,000 in 2015

Wellington North councillors were paid a total of $94,995 for 2015.

On March 21, new treasurer Kimberly Henderson presented the annual breakdown of councillors’ earnings in 2015.

Mayor Andy Lennox pulled in $27,400, including $18,659 for regular council and $5,850 for other meetings.

Councillors Sherry Burke, Steve McCabe and Dan Yake all received $12,689 for regular council meetings. Burke also received $2,700 for other meetings and over $3,800 for other expenses totaling $19,236.

Yake received $3,900 for other meetings plus over $2,500 for additional expenses. Yake received a total of $19,095 in 2015.

Without any “other meeting” expenses and over $3,500 in other expenses, McCabe received a total of $16,237.

McCabe was not present at the council meeting but sent in comments to council on the expense process.

“In my mind and the reason I didn’t charge any per diems to go to committee meetings or chamber meetings or any meetings for that matter is I think that is part of my salary that I’m receiving now,” said McCabe to the Advertiser later.

“I don’t feel right for charging for that when I’m a part of council.”

McCabe said he understands that council’s time is valuable but thinks council should move toward a flat fee that includes other meetings.

Former councillor Mark Goetz, who resigned in June of last year, received $10,987 and councillor Lisa Hern, elected in November 2015, received $1,998.

Council received the report for information.