Kelowna council members can accept or deny pay raise

It's been just under two weeks since Kelowna City Council voted themselves in $18,000 and $15,000 pay increases.

On Mar. 25, council was told that their remuneration had fallen “significantly” behind those of comparable municipalities.

Currently, the mayor is paid $126,497.29. The recommendation was to bump that to $145,200.

Councillors are paid $42,991.14. However, that will increase to $58,080, which is 40% of what the mayor would make.

However, amendments to the council remuneration bylaw are being brought forward for consideration.

A report headed to council on Monday, April 8 suggests that council can approve phasing in the pay increase; half now and the other half at the beginning of 2025.

That would see the mayor’s pay bumped to $135,848 and the councillor’s to $50,535 upon adoption of the bylaw. They would then see another increase to the full aforementioned amount next year.

Additionally, council members are being given the option of not receiving the increase.

If a council member chooses not to take the raise, they have to notify the city clerk in writing within 30 days of adoption of the bylaw.

They would remain at the pre-adjusted 2024 remuneration, but council members elected in the 2026 municipal election would receive the new wage.

According to the report, annual adjustments based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI) will no longer be used because staff say that has resulted in Kelowna falling behind other municipalities.

“Following the general local election in 2026, an adjustment will be made twice per Council term to realign the Mayor’s remuneration with the 60th percentile of comparable BC municipalities and Councillors’ remuneration to 40% of the Mayor’s,” the report says.

“This will take place in years one and three of the Council term, following annual municipal reports being published at the end of June.

The total cost is $139,413.60 and will be funded from financial savings identified through “implementation of the digital transformation strategy.”

Council will consider and discuss the matter further during the Monday meeting at 1:30 pm.