Who ever claims Vernon’s mayor chair in November’s election will get an immediate raise. Council has approved the mayor’s remuneration going
from $63,466 to $66,266 in 2012 (one-third is a tax-free allowance),
while there is a scheduled increase for the six councillors in 2014. “The work done by council has become complex and
deserves to be recognized as more than community service,” said Coun.
Buffy Baumbrough, who pointed out that the new rates will impact those
elected Nov. 19 and not current members of council. While the mayor’s wage will go up in 2012, there will
be no increase for the mayor in 2013. For 2014, there will be a hike
equivalent to the compound sum of the consumer price index over the
previous four years (if CPI is two per cent each year, that would lead
to an 8.2 per cent increase in salary). “I see the work the mayor does and the abuse he takes,” said Coun. Jack Gilroy. “He’s like the chairman of the board and he deserves more.” For councillors, the current annual salary of $20,473
(one-third tax-free) will remain in 2012 and 2013 but there will be an
increase equivalent to the compounded sum of CPI over four years in
2014. “There is a recognition that we’re in tough economic times,” said Baumbrough of no increase for councillors for two years. Opposition came from Coun. Bob Spiers. “Councillors’ pay will be reduced by $800. The present formula of (linking wages) to cost of living is the way to go,” he said. Council members are currently paid $137 for attending
committee meetings and that will increase to $320 for full-day meetings
and to $160 for meetings four hours or less in length. Again, opposition came from Spiers. “We have volunteers at committees and the only persons
around the table being paid is one or two politicians,” he said, adding
that is unfair towards residents who donate their time to be on a city
committee. Coun. Mary-Jo O’Keefe defends the overall increase in remuneration for council. “We need to attract people in the workforce,” she said, adding that council duties can impact on both careers and families. “We have the tendency to attract people who are
retired. By not attracting working people, we don’t have a true inkling
of what’s going on in the community.” Coun. Shawn Lee insists council is not forcing higher wages on its successors. “Any future council can decline it. It’s in the hands of future councils,” he said.
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Don Quixote Note: Re Councillors Salary base pay. Under the present formula the total base compensation would increase from $20474 now to $21,727 at end of term in Dec. 31, 2014. (Assuming a 2% cost of living in 2011-2013). Total compensation that a Councillor would receive is $63,911.80 over the next 3 years. Total compensation that would be received under the proposed formula of no increase in 2012 and 2013 but a compounded 8.2% increase in 2014 is $63,100.87. This is actually $810.93 less but the salary level that will be the base for future reviews will be $22,152.87 not the $21,727.17 that would occur if the old formula was continued. All of this money is 1/3 tax free. (At budget time Councillor had the opportunity to decline receiving the Cost of living increase and in 2011 Council as well as exempt staff declined the increase. This decision at budget time is now moot.)
Re: Mayors Salary base pay: Under the present formula the total base compensation would increase from $63,466 now to $67,350.63 at end of term in Dec. 31, 2014.(Assuming a 2% cost of living in 2011-2013). Total compensation that a Mayor would receive is $198,115.97 over the next 3 years. Total
compensation that would be received under the proposed formula of no
increase in 2012 and 2013 but a compounded 8.20% increase in 2014 is
$204,231.81. Salary level that would form the base for future reviews would be $71,699.81. All of this money is 1/3 tax free.
Re: Meeting Pay: Meeting pay will be increased from $137 to $160 per meeting. (1/3 tax free). This is for all City of Vernon approved committees. There are
14 eligible committees. Some committees have more than 1 member of council assigned and they are all eligible for compensation. Council members appointed to GVS and NORD do NOT get this committee pay but are paid out at NORD at their meeting rate pay and base salary range. Council members must apply for this meeting pay. Some of Council have applied and some have not since committee pay was introduced in August of 2009.
2010 Political Salaries for Vernon Council and at NORD can be found here:
http://vernonblog.blogspot.com/2011/10/compensation-hike-possible-for-mayor.html
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