Pay raise proposal still unacceptable (Vernon Council got it Right !)

– Managing editor Scott Neufeld http://www.dailycourier.ca/
In February, North Okanagan Regional District politicians proposed to give themselves a 300 per cent pay increase. A month later the proposal was mothballed pending a provincial comparison of pay rates. This week NORD directors will vote on another proposal – one that proposes a 300 per cent increase. Municipal members of the regional board, those representing Armstrong, Coldstream, Enderby, Lumby, Spallumcheen and Vernon, currently rake in a base pay rate of $1,495 per year just for being board members. If approved, the proposal would triple their pay to $6,000.

When the Vernon Daily Courier brought the proposal to light in February, NORD attempted to justify the raise by slashing the payments made to members of the Greater Vernon Services Committee, the body that looks after water, parks and culture in the area. GVS politicians refused to allow their wages to change, as is their right. As a result taxpayers can expect to see a larger share of their tax dollar go directly into the pockets of their elected representatives. In fact, with all of the shuffling and new committees and per meeting pay, taxpayers will pay at least an additional $233,933 over the next year to compensate local politicians, according to financial documents provided by NORD this spring.

Admittedly, the raise will put the directors on an equal footing with their counterparts in neighbouring regional districts. And there’s little doubt the politicians deserve a raise given the increase in responsibility they’re asked to shoulder. However, their decision to vote themselves a raise is unethical. In few jobs are workers allowed to pick their own pay grade without any input from their employer. This should be no different when it comes to politicians. If NORD wants to legitimately usher in a raise, the only ethical way would be to have the increase take effect after the next civic election. By doing this, it would make sure politicians weren’t voting for their own pay hike.

It also makes little sense to raise pay rates so dramatically all at once. NORD postings are voluntary, not elected by the public, and if municipal politicians don’t think they’re fairly compensated, they can turn down the position. Each one knew what they were getting into when they joined the board and for them to turn around and push hard for a raise is inappropriate. NORD should follow the lead of the City of Vernon and put off any talk of a raise until just prior to the next election. The raise would then not take effect until after the election. This is the only way to ensure the best interests of taxpayers are protected.