The Council heard a proposal “That Council of the Township of Whitewater Region approve, for the purposes of a public meeting, minor changes to Council Remuneration for the 2022-2026 term.”
“Per the municipal act. councils are obligated to review Councillor renumeration at a public meeting once per term of council.” CAO Trembley said. “With the coming changes to the deputy mayor position and the reeve for the next term of council, it’s very important that we do that.”
“What we’re do is we’re setting it so that when people are running for council in may will know how renumeration is going to look.”
CAO Trembley said that there was a recommended change of cost of living for 2023.
he said there was a recommended change to cost of living from 2% and that the deputy mayor should be ‘halfway’ between the mayor and the Councillor in terms of determining salary.
He said that in terms of attending events, the Mayor should be at 1000 hours, while the deputy mayor was 700 and the Councillors were 500 remaining for the Councillors.
He also said that Councillors should have access to the corporate cell plan at $21 a month.
He said there were no other proposed changes to mileage, pensions.
“The goal is to just get council to endorse the changes, and then have the public meeting occur at the next meeting.”
Councillor McLaughlin said that the Committee of Adjustment should have “some compensation for sitting on that committee. We meet at least once a month.”
He also said he “didn’t want” a provided cellphone as part of the Councillor package.
“There’s a lot of extra income coming to whitewater region because we are doing our own severances.” McLaughlin said. “It’s a big job. If we have to come to the township, it takes extra hours out of your time.”
“Why the increase in allowance for the mayor, and why the “ Councillor Charlene Jackson asked. “
Why are we providing cellphones to all?”
CAO Trembley said that the expenses alloted to the Mayor was low compared to surrounding municipalities and that the deputy mayor’s expenses were determined on the basis that “they are intended to replace the mayor in terms of local events.”
“The question is always about sharing the load equitably.” CAO Trembley said. “When we looked at the expense account for the mayor, we found that it was quite low comparatively.
“We’ve using up our expense allowances for donations to other causes.” Jackson said. “There are some of us that don’t go at all and some that don’t go as often as others. I think it’s important to get them up to speed and I think these conferences are important for that.”
CAO Trembley said that the expenses were clarified ‘some years ago’ by Treasurer Crozier that the “policy does allow for any kind of expense was not used in regards to education” and to donate.
“I agree that moving forward I see the deputy mayor position becoming a bit more involved.” Reeve Regier said. “I think with the mayor going to County Council, I think there will be added workload to that. Council is not what it once was, there’s a lot of work involved. Do you know how often I sat on Human resources committee? Days and days, with no compensation.”
“Sometimes we’re kinda paid too much. We’re paid for nothing.” Councillor Olmstead said. “Sometimes you can’t pay us enough. But I think I agree with the proposal as-is. I know I don’t sit on many of these committees. I think the deputy mayor is going to be a pretty full job. I’m pretty happy with the way it’s written.”
“I don’t think there’s enough money in Whitewater region for us to deal with what we’ve had to deal with in the last few weeks.” Councillor McLaughlin said.
He asked CAO Trembley whether the pay for council was based on cost of living, which CAO Trembley said that it would be ‘adjusted for cost of living’ as they go.
“Inflation is gross and ugly and it will be more than two percent, but they’ll know it’s to be adjusted. Most of the municipalities do that so it’s a best practice.”
“Things are going to go back to normal soon, right now it’s all virtual. You can do as many meetings as you can on your couch.” Mayor Moore said. “But when we start doing in person meetings, those gas bills add up.”
“I’d never thought I say this, but I like the Zoom meeting.” Councillor Mackay said. “If we have to go in person, we lose two hours.”
