Those who are elected to municipal council in Chatham-Kent this fall will be getting a raise.
On Monday, council in a close 10-8 vote, agreed with the recommendation from the citizen review committee to pay councillors $36,900 a year from 2022-2026, up from $33,963 a year. Further increases for that same time period would be tied to the Canadian annual rate of inflation.
"The committee recommended that there be no changes to the mayor's base honorarium but that the councillor base honorarium is increased by $2,937 to bring the total to $36,900 annually," the report read.
In a 12-6 vote, councillors voted in favour of creating a yearly benefits plan that will cover up to $1,200 in healthcare expenses for each council member.
"The councillor position is a part-time position, therefore, traditionally they have not been entitled to the same group benefits plan as our non-union classification," the report read. Councillors currently have the option to purchase life insurance, extended health care and dental care benefits out-of-pocket at their own expense."
The recommendation would replace the optional benefits with a health care spending account. It would be used to reimburse eligible medical expenses that meet Canada Revenue Agency rules.
"Historically, serving on a local council has been a volunteer commitment, however, municipalities have come to recognize the more permanent nature of the municipal public office and expanded the range of compensation and benefits that they provide," the report read. "Many councillors are expected to be more accessible and responsive than in the past."
The changes will add $79,688 to the 2023 base budget. The new salaries would come into effect on November 15, 2022.
