Council salary levels studied by committee

Special to The Okanagan Sunday   2011-09-25
 Osoyoos town council could soon be in for a raise.  A council remuneration committee, made up of volunteers from the community, has begun the task of recommending salary levels for the incoming council after the November election.  Other than annual cost-of-living increases, the town‘s mayor and council members have not had a salary increase in more than five years. In May 2006, the mayor‘s base salary was set at $20,811. Councillors received $13,827.  With the cost-of-living increases factored in, the mayor now receives $22,772 and councillors earn $15,130. One-third is tax-free.  In addition, all council members receive the same health-care benefits and accident insurance that town staff receives, with an option to buy additional coverage for their families. They also receive $100 a day when representing Osoyoos at out-of-town meetings.  Barry Romanko, the town‘s chief administrative officer, says the remuneration committee members were told it was up to them to decide on the process they wanted to use.  The committee is to deliver its report to council on Oct. 3. Members have already interviewed council members and have asked each councillor to complete a questionnaire. If all goes as scheduled, council will be in a position to pass the bylaw on Nov. 3. The municipal election will be held Nov. 19.