Goderich's new Deputy Mayor wants changes in compensation for municipal councilors.
Myles Murdock told council at its inaugural meeting that the rate of compensation hadn't changed since he was first elected in 2006. Murdock explained compensation isn't what motivates councilors to run for election but adds it shouldn't be a volunteer position either. He says there has to be some form of compensation in order to encourage skilled people to run for election.
Staff has been asked to compare the compensation package for Goderich councilors with other municipalities in the area of similar size and report back to council.
Murdock suggests if they haven't had an increases that at least keeps pace with the increase in the cost of living, they've probably lost fifteen to twenty per cent in wages over that time period.
Council has also agreed to look at possible raises for councilors during budget deliberations in February. Murdock explains that increase would be to make up for the tax exemption on one-third of a councilors gross income that the Federal government has removed this year that effectively reduces a councilors compensation by one-third.
Murdock adds the county has already approved a motion to do that and several other municipal councils have either done it or are planning to do it.
“It's not strictly volunteer either, I mean there should be some form of compensation because we do wanna make sure that we attract skilled people and I think that that's a minor inducement for that.”
“Staff's been asked to check with other communities of Goderich's size to find out what the compensation package is for being away at conferences and workshops and things of that nature as well the actual stipend for doing the work on council and the committee work that's involved.”
“If you haven't had an increase, even to the amount of cost of living from 2010 to 2018, you're probably looking at something in the order of a fifteen to twenty per cent loss of wages over that time period.”
