Pay Increase For Council Reaches Bylaw Stage

Although it seems to be a done deal there is still one more vote to make it official.

On Monday evening Moose Jaw City Council will be voting to amend their Remuneration Bylaw.

The remuneration increase has been controversial locally with numerous residents decrying the increase as unjustified and too much during the present economic uncertainty COVID - 19 has brought to the community.

See photo at the end of the article MJ Independent received as part of a profanity laced letter we received and did not publish on the subject.

The Bylaw amendment will change the formula on how elected officials are paid.

Under the proposed changes effective January 1, 2021 the Mayor will receive the same base pay as an MLA and Councillors will receive 33.33 percent of the Mayor's pay.

The change will result in a 23 percent pay increase to the Mayor and a 28.5 percent increase to Councillors.

The Mayor will see a pay increase from $79,108 to $100,068 (23 percent increase) and councillors moving from $24,918 to $33,323 annually (a 28.5 percent increase).

Additionally the Mayor will receive a $500 per month car allowance, something Council previously rejected.

Under the previous formula Council received eight pay increases in the last ten years - whenever the remuneration of a provincial cabinet minister went up their pay increased in turn.

Council has also previously voted to increase their own pay after changes to the Income Tax Act took away tax free status for one-time of their remuneration. Council voted to increase their pay so as they would receive the same take home pay.

Although late in game feedback, both for and against the pay increase, may be forwarded to Council members this weekend and on Monday - their email addresses and contact numbers are listed on the City Council page on moosejaw.ca .

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Photo we received with a profanity laced letter we could not publish - submitted photo