Recent 2018 budget discussions turned to council compensation for the next term of office.
In 2017, actual costs for mayor and council came in at $160,183 (budgeted at $202,360).
The proposed 2018 budget for mayor and council was proposed to drop to $199,706.
The budget item includes council wages, benefits and costs such as conferences, training, communications and administration.
Councillor Mary Lloyd noted a survey of council remuneration of similar municipalities across the region.
“I asked for this – not specifically for a change to happen in 2018 (except for the final month of 2018), but for the next council moving ahead,” she said.
“One of the things we’ve discussed is for the mayor to be more as a full-time job than a part-time job because of the time burdens.”
Lloyd specifically referred to representing the township as part of different organizations and in the public.
“It is important the mayor is remunerated,” she said.
Lloyd added that in looking at current wages, “it is not so much we are disparaging on council wages, as we are on the mayor’s side.
“We want to make certain we are attracting councillors to this table who are not only willing to give of their time, but are remunerated property.”
She added, “As we have discussed, there are many large decisions which have to be made in the next four years of council and we want to make sure those considering running for office would be fairly remunerated for their time.”
Councillor Stephen Kitras agreed with Lloyd regarding the importance of the mayor’s position and the decision of whether this position is part time or full time.
He then stated “when you are growing (as a municipality) that is when all the work is being done and where the difficult decisions are at.
“We do have to make a lot of difficult decisions.”
He said there is considerable information needed to make those decisions and the documents “are a lot to slog through – first to digest and then to formulate proper responses or actions.”
CAO Andy Goldie said a report will be coming to council early in the new year.
He noted a number of municipalities are just starting to discuss the issue.
Mayor Kelly Linton said Wellington County is planning to compensate councillors for the amount they would lose as a result of the loss of the tax exemption.
Councillor Kirk McElwain agreed the mayor’s position is fairly close to being a full-time job, and compensation should mirror that.
His concern was that at the county level in 2006, compensation for the warden suddenly became that of a full-time job.
“(The job) isn’t, it is not an elected (by the public) position, and everyone complains,” said McElwain.
Linton said because of the time requirements of the warden’s role, switching the local mayor’s job to a full-time position could mean local mayors would not be able to serve as warden and be mayor at the same time.
Councillor Steven VanLeeuwen asked how many hours were spent on Centre Wellington-focused tasks versus Wellington County tasks.
Linton said it would require considerable work to determine that allocation.
“There is a need for a more wholesome discussion on the issue,” he said.
Linton also wanted to see public engagement as part of the discussion.
“This is important for our community as well,” he said.
Lloyd stated, “What we are talking about is not how you or I are remunerated … we’re talking about going forward with a new council.”
She believed it would be better to deal with it earlier – with community input.
Lloyd said she has found that when people learn what her job requires versus the remuneration, “they are shocked that I am being put into the position of voting on a $34-million budget, decisions on how fire services are going to respond, to ensure water is safe – yet only paid about $20,000 to make those decisions each year.
“I’m not saying that I feel like I’ve been underpaid, I’m saying if someone else is looking at this position and weighing in the fact they have to make some very informed decisions going forward,” she said.
Kitras added, “I think if you are being paid $20,000 and expected to read agendas bordering on 300 pages and come to council with informed opinions, asking questions, being meaningful and not only at this council table, but possibly two additional committee tables representing the township – making informed decisions as well. For me, to attract someone who wants to do that job, I don’t know if $20,000 will attract that person.”
Councillor Fred Morris agreed the dollar value is low for the responsibility carried, but he said he’s not certain increasing salaries will attract better people.
Morris explained, “This is basically a four-year contract. If you think you are going to get someone out of the private sector to abandon their private sector work for a four-year contract and then get rehired … I think that is a bit of a stretch.”
Morris said that is why many councils in smaller municipalities such as Centre Wellington are comprised of retirees with resources of their own, or self-employed business people who can divide their time and energy.
“There’s got to be a better reason to attract quality people to council, other than just increased salary,” he said.
Morris said “people need to see their role on council matters and that there is some value in giving up one’s time in service to the community.”
Linton agreed this was a large issue, but too much needs to happen within the context of the current budget discussion.
Councillor Don Fisher said he did not believe this is a 2018 budget issue and that more discussion should be held in 2018.
Linton agreed.
VanLeeuwen added that if council moves ahead, it should set some funds aside within the 2018 capital budget in order to follow through.
Kitras said he would like to have a decision in place before the next year’s election process.
McElwain noted the last time council remuneration was altered, it was the result of recommendations of a local committee comprised of citizens and councillors – though council ultimately made the final decision.
Linton said he would feel more comfortable bringing in a specialized firm but that citizen involvement is a requirement of the process.
