Councillors Pay Increase

I just wanted to preface this with a statement. I am in favour of paying our politicians well for the work they do. I have no qualms with the amount of the pay increase recently approved by the Milton town council. I do however, have a problem with the way its done.

A councillor should not be able to vote themselves a pay increase. They do vote on all budget matters but this current council should not benefit from this decision. When it comes to pay increases we should have these decisions made effective the date the NEXT council is elected.

There’s an old saying “politics is perception” and it rings true here. What are the citizens of this town to think after hearing taxes this year going up and now, very quickly and quietly, a pay increase for the people around the table. It doesn’t look right.

Greg Nelson was the only one to vote against the increase seeing it was his first time sitting around the council table and “had reservations about voting myself a pay raise on my first day on the job.”

Pay increases are fine. Paying politicians of all levels what they are worth is something that we need. The debate grows at each level to seek out what we should be paying our elected officials. My only problem is that when they vote to increase pay, it should be effective the next council.

I was a candidate for election this past November as all the others who sit around the table were. When we received our candidate information packages the salaries were posted. If anyone had a problem with the amount they were going to be paid, they could have made the decision not to run. Not that the salary be the only factor in a person putting their name forward for election, but it does make a difference.

They ran on the fact their salaries were going to be $ 21,000 and it should remain at that level until the next election. What the town needs to do is working in some sort of a cost of living increase at predetermined times, and it would take the issue of councillors voting themselves pay increases out of their hands and much more palatable to the taxpayers.

This is from the June 29Th Milton Canadian Champion

Councillors get hefty pay hikes – Melanie Hennessey
Published on Jun 29, 2007

Town council has approved giving its members some pretty hefty raises.

The decision was made Monday night after staff recommended the increases to make council’s remuneration in line with municipalities of comparable population and proximity to Milton.

This means effective Sunday, Mayor Gord Krantz’s annual income will go from $49,133 for the year to $60,480, while the rest of council will see an increase from $21,096 to $25,096.

Although there was no discussion among council members about the raise at Monday’s meeting, the Champion asked a few of its members what they think about the extra money.

Mayor Gord Krantz said his raise is a “reasonable amount,” pointing out that compared to the other municipalities on the list staff prepared, Milton’s new wages are still far from being the highest or lowest.

“I personally don’t have a problem with it,” he said. “And if you don’t (allocate for raises), sooner or later you’ve got to play a lot of catch up.”

Ward 3 Councillor Jan Mowbray had no qualms with the raise either, explaining she’s discovered being a councillor is an expensive proposition.

For example, she said she’s always buying tickets for community events.

She also highlighted the long hours she puts in as a politician. “It’s supposed to be a part-time job, but it’s a lot more,” she said.

Mowbray said she starts at 6 a.m. on her computer, responding to residents and researching information for them until noon. Then, she’s out many afternoons and evenings at events and meetings.

Ward 4 Councillor Paul Scherer also spoke out in favour of the raises.

“I think the salaries are fair now,” he said. “Looking at the comparison to other communities, we’re where we should be.”

He added that the comparison method is a good way to keep salaries on an even keel.
Scherer also said he thinks this type of raise should be dealt with before an election, not right after.

As the newest member of council, Ward 2 Councillor Greg Nelson did oppose the increase, since Monday’s meeting was his first after being elected in the June 14 byelection.

“I had reservations about voting myself a pay raise on my first day on the job,” he said.
“I couldn’t justify it for myself. I’m keenly aware that I have to earn every dime.”

The hikes will cost $25,673 for the remainder of this year and add $51,347 annually onto the operating budget hereafter.

Council also supported retaining the one-third tax-free allowance for the 2007-10 term of council, meaning one-third of council members’ income isn’t taxed.

Melanie Hennessey can be reached at mhennessey@miltoncanadianchampion.com.