City Wants Citizen Input On Council Remuneration

Do you think members of Council deserve a raise? Should they be allowed parental leave? Should the mayor receive a larger car allowance?

These are just some of the questions that the City is asking and they want your input into the final recommendations a committee will be making when it comes to Council remuneration.

The issue of Council remuneration as well as the mayor’s car allowance came up as a result of Council’s discussion and vote to increase their gross pay following a January 1, 2019 policy change to strip municipal politicians of tax free status for one-third of their pay by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA). At the time Council decided to increase their remuneration with the Mayor’s pay raised from $64,147 to $79,108 and a Councillor from $22,382 to $24,918. The pay increase meant Council members still earned the same take home money after the CRA’s policy change.

The issue for what would be ‘fairer remuneration’ came from Mayor Fraser Tolmie who sought a pay increase based upon what other city’s councils were receiving. He also sought an increase in his monthly car allowance from $100 to $500 which was denied by Council.

As part of the discussion Council in April 2019 decided to set up a three member committee to review their compensation (salary and benefits). The panel consists of Greg McIntyre (Moose Jaw & District Chamber of Commerce), Brenda Berry (Moose Jaw & District Labour Council) and City of Moose Jaw Clerk/Solicitor Myron Gulka-Tiechko.

During their review the panel decided to seek public as well as former elected official input.

As part of the public consultation part of the review the committee has set up an on-line survey as well as there will be an opportunity for residents to submit either a written or oral statement to the review panel on Wednesday, January 22, 2020, beginning at 5:30 p.m. in the Scoop Lewry Room, 2nd Floor of City Hall.

For those wanting to sublit their opinions on-line they may do so by clicking the link.

Previously Council’s pay was determined based upon a 2014 formula whereby the mayor receives 47 percent of what a provincial cabinet minister receives and councillors receive one-third of the mayor's remuneration. When the province kicked in their austerity measures the mayor saw his pay drop from $67,147 in July 2014 to $65,910 in July 2017. Each councillor also saw a drop from $22,382 in July 2014 to $21,956 in July 2017. With the province restoring the cuts to elected members Council likewise saw their pay restored to the previous level.

Council’s remuneration as well as expenses in 2017 is shown in the public accounts.

The three member committee is set to report back to Council with their recommendations in March with any proposed changes voted on by Council and likely to take effect following the November 9th civic election.