Northern Bruce Peninsula is deferring a discussion on approving a 12 per cent raise increase for its council.
During a meeting on May 23, council received a report from CAO Peggy Van Mierlo-West, recommending approving the increase for council by an average of 12 per cent, and by the start of 2024, all council positions would increase by eight per cent.
The report says it sought to explore the idea of increasing wages of council members to match 2023 rates, as the last time wages were adjusted was a number of years ago.
“This discrepancy between wages and the current economic landscape raises concerns about the adequacy and fairness of compensation. Considering inflation, rising living costs, and evolving job market trends, it is crucial to reevaluate and adjust the wages of council members to ensure their compensation remains competitive and commensurate with their responsibilities,” says the report.
In an attached report from Ward & Uptigrove Human Resources Solutions, the 12 per cent increase would include annual increases of $976 for each councillor, $1,184 for the deputy mayor, and $1,391 for the mayor, equalling a total of just over $5,500.
During the meeting, however, Deputy Mayor Rod Anderson proposed a further increase.
“What I’m proposing, this report is fine but it is not enough money, that we should be doubling what we are making now,” says Anderson. “We should be getting into the $20,000 range for year per person, and the esteemed mayor should be getting substantially more because there is a lot more to it.”
He added the money to make his proposed increase feasible is already in the budget by altering per diems, a daily allowance given to cover certain expenses while traveling for business.
“You should be paid accordingly, and it should be our responsibility to attend these meetings wherever and whenever they are,” says Anderson.
The motion was ultimately deferred while staff looks at options to potentially further increase the pay.
