Council Remuneration Committee Approved
Photo By Roxanne Ashe - Virtual Interiors Photography
A proposal to see an independent three member committee struck to review the remuneration of Council drew fire and a call for a re-vote from Councillor Brian Swanson but in the end was given the go ahead by Council on Monday evening.
The three member review panel - which would consist of the City Clerk, a representative from the Moose Jaw and District Chamber of Commerce and a representative from the Moose Jaw and District Labour Council - would be tasked with reviewing the remuneration and providing recommendations into what Council should be paid.
In asking for the re-vote on striking the review panel Councillor Swanson felt it was unnecesary and Council’s remuneration was sufficient.
“I want to state four to five years ago an external consulatant was hired…was paid a consulting fee to establish (a formula)…that would stand the test of time and to prevent elected officials from voting again and again on their pay,” Councillor stated while requesting the re-vote.
The issue of Council’s remuneration became a hot topic at Budget Committee and Council when the Federal government took away the one-third tax free allowance given to elected municipal officials.
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Under the old formula the mayor was paid based upon a percentge of what a provincial cabinet minister earned with councilllors earning a percentage of the mayor’s remuneration.
The pay formula derived during budget and approved by Council saw the remuneration of the Mayor from $64,147 to $79,108 and a Councillor from $22,382 to $24,918. The pay increase was brought forward in response to the federal cut of the one-third tax free benefit. The pay increase will mean Council members will still earn the same take home money after taxes.
The review committee is tasked with deciding what is fair pay for Council members aimed at taking effect in November 2020 after the next municipal election. It could be an increase, a decrease or stay the same.
Councillor Swanson said he felt “salaries paid right now are sufficient.”
Councillor Chris Warren stated he was for the review given the sacrifice individuals undertake to be on Council as well as it would not take effect until after the next election so this Council would not benefit from it.
“I’m in favour in a comprehensive approach about what is fair…it may very well come back oour current remuneration is sufficient,” Councillor Warren stated.
Mayor Fraser Tolmie stated he was in favour of the review going on to state mayors in other centres are remunerated more.
Mayor Tolmie gave examples of Yorkton and Swift Current stating “both are pert-time and they are getting paid more than I am.”
He went on to state how in Prince Albert - with 34,000 residents - their council haas eight councillors and the mayor of Prince Albert is paid more than the mayor of Moose Jaw.
Councillor Heather Eby said she supported the comprehensive review because it dealt with those elected to Council in October 2020.
“I support the motion mostly because it will have nothing to do with us but the next Council,” Councillor Eby stated going on to re-affirm the review committee needed to be totally independent.
“(It needs to be an) independent evaluation and not influenced in how we feel.”
In a 6 -1 re-vote - with Councillor Swanson opposed - the motion to strike the three member elected official remuneration review committee was approved.