Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star Published: October 15, 2009 6:00 PM
Vernon’s mayor insists there are no concerns about councillors’ committee duties, but some of the appointments may be shaken up. With the first year of council’s three-year term drawing to a close, Wayne Lippert plans to meet with his six councillors to discuss what committees they will sit on in 2010. “I try to have a review every year,” he said. “It helps give me an understanding of whether the councillors are handling the workload and if they need a change.” Lippert said he doesn’t have any reservations about certain councillors on some committees, but believes changes in appointments could be possible. “Sometimes it’s good to change the participants.”
The review of appointments comes just a few weeks after council decided to start paying council members $137 for each committee meeting they attend. There was also some debate that some elected officials are spending more time on committee work than others. However, Lippert says none of that will influence his decisions on appointments for the coming year. “I’m not worried about the per diem because it’s a small aspect. I want to make sure the committees are working well.”
Based on current duties, Coun. Buffy Baumbrough will receive an additional $8,905 a year, while Coun. Mary-Jo O’Keefe will get $7,946. That is followed by $4,658 for Lippert, $2,877 for Coun. Bob Spiers, $2,603 for Coun. Patrick Nicol, $2,329 for Coun. Jack Gilroy and $1,644 for Coun. Shawn Lee. In the past, council members were not specifically paid for committee work. Those duties were covered by the base annual salary of $62,775 for the mayor and $20,250 for each councillor.
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