Vernon council members who sit on city committees will be paid 137 dollars per meeting. That rate was set by council Monday after rejecting a proposal to increase the pay to $160 for meetings four hours or less, and to $320 for full day meetings. Councilor Bob Spiers is opposed to council members getting extra pay for those meetings which include, for example, the finance and affordable housing committees. "You've got eight volunteers who have spent their own money and gas to get to those meetings, and the only one getting paid is the councillor. I don't think it's correct," Spiers tells Kiss FM.Councillor Juliette Cunningham argued the extra pay could attract younger people to run for council. The committee pay was part of new remuneration policy that will make the new council elected this fall eligible for benefits for the first time, and to get a 1.4% Canadian Price Index pay increase. Spiers estimates the pay increase will amount to $300 for each councillor, while the benefits could add up to $3,600 a year for a married councillor. Mayor Rob Sawatzky and councillor Mary Jo O'Keefe voted against the committee pay rate, with Sawatzky feeling it was a decision that should have been left up to the new council. "It's a good habit to allow the council that will benefit to make the decision," says Sawatzky.
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Also See: http://infotel.ca/newsitem/extra-pay-for-mayor-and-council-approved/it13225
107.5 KISSFM POLL- Results FINAL:
 Do you think members of municipal councils should be paid extra for going to non council meetings ? | ||
|---|---|---|
| no | ||
| 39 | 81.3% | |
| yes | ||
| 9 | 18.8% | |
| Number of Voters | : 48 |
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