Meaford council has passed a recommendation to implement a pay raise for councillors, the Deputy Mayor and Mayor.
During the committee of the whole meeting on Nov. 15, a recommendation was brought forward to adjust the council remuneration policy, so council members would see an increase to $25,000, $30,700 for the deputy mayor and $45,400 for the mayor.
This comes after interviews were held with council members by the Remuneration Committee, which found the complexity of the role of council and time commitment has grown significantly.
“Members of the committee were committed to ensure that the compensation provided is fair and reasonable and will attract a diverse and representative pool of candidates from the Municipality of Meaford residents wishing to seek election to council, and as seen as fair by tax payers,” says Phil Cant from the Remuneration Committee.
Ted Mallett, another member of the committee adds during the meetings they had with council, they were looking for quantitative data to assist them in understanding where the municipality was, versus its competitors.
“We know Meaford is an exceptional community, but are there outlying conditions which would require differences in compensation,” says Mallett.
Coun. Tony Bell chimed in to reiterate each one of the sitting members of council believes the mayor and deputy mayor are underpaid.
“I truly believe the effort that is required in performing the chief job, being the head of this council or any council, out in front of the public more often, always at engagements more often, and the demands placed upon yourself. I know each one of us sitting here has a heart that says we want to serve our community, we are not in it for the money,” says Bell.
