MINTO – The cost of paying local politicians in Minto rose by more than $22,000 last year.
On March 3, treasurer Gordon Duff provided a report on council remuneration and expenses for 2019.
The report, an annual requirement under the Municipal Act, shows salary and expenses paid to members of Minto council between Dec. 1, 2018 and Nov. 30, 2019 totalled $166,464.
That’s an increase of $22,057 (15%) over the previous 12-month total of $144,407.
Mayor George Bridge received a base salary of $18,320 last year, plus meeting per diems of $12,588, convention and seminar expenses of $1,506 and mileage payments of $619, for a total of $33,033.
Deputy mayor Dave Turton received a base salary of $14,773, plus $3,540 in meeting per diems, $4,675 for convention and seminar expenses and $750 in mileage, for a total of $23,740.
Payments for councillors were:
– Ron Elliott: base $12,410, per diems $7,509, conventions and seminars $5,614, mileage $919, total $26,452;
– Judy Dirksen: base $12,410, per diems $7,820, conventions and seminars $3,132, mileage $962, total $24,324;
– Geoff Gunson: base $12,410, per diems $4,779, conventions and seminars $4,772, mileage $693, total $22,655;
– Jean Anderson: base $12,410, per diems $4,779, conventions and seminars $1,429, mileage zero, total $18,619; and
– Mark MacKenzie: base $12,410, per diems $3,644, conventions and seminars $1,441, mileage $142, total $17,637.
The report indicates per diem rates are: $60 per council meeting, $98 for specific meetings under four hours and $173 for specific meetings over four hours.
“‘Meeting’ is rigidly defined to include standing and appointed committees, conferences and conventions, and educational sessions as approved by the mayor,” the report notes.
Council received the report as information.
