Council votes itself a pay raise

Posted Jan 26, 2012 By Tara Gesner

EMC News - With this year's municipal tax hike not yet set, Mississippi Mills council voted itself a salary increase at Monday night's (Jan. 23) committee of the whole meeting.

The politicians approved a recommendation to raise remuneration for mayor and councillors about 11 per cent. Consequently, each of the 11 representatives will receive an additional $1,500 - retroactive to Jan. 1.

The pay of a councillor goes from $13,071.95 per fiscal year to $14,571.95, and the mayor's compensation increases from $28,542.43 to $30,042.43.

The motion carried 6-4. Councillor Rick Minnille was absent with regrets. Voting against the increase were councillors John Edwards, Denzil Ferguson, Paul Watters and Val Wilkinson.

"This isn't a holier-than-thou attitude," stated Ferguson, who asked for the recorded vote.

The Pakenham ward councillor couldn't justify an increase of more than 10 per cent when, "staff has been cut back two per cent."

"I will not support it," he said.

Councillor Alex Gillis noted Mississippi Mills is "well behind" in comparative municipalities.

By means of the approval, the additional financial impact on the 2012 draft budget is $21,000 - as other modifications incorporated in the motion are a total increase in mileage ($1,000), conferences/training/seminars ($2,000) and discretionary expenses for the mayor ($1,500).

Council agreed items such as remunerations, per diems, conferences, etc. will be reviewed again in 2013.

tgesner@perfprint.ca